The visit of Consul-General of Korea, Mr. Cho Whan-bok, on October 14, 2004, to the Macao Art Museum, served as a very good beggining to further the contacts for cultural exchanges and for the Exhibition of the History of Steel.
Mr. Cho was accompanied by his artist wife Madam Paek Hee Young, Mr. Ohm Ki Sung - Consul Political Affairs, and Mr. Kim Myong Jin, Consul.
Later, Consul Mr. Kim Cheol-Hyeon was able to prepare the visit which took place with a flight on January 19 to Seoul, for which I am most grateful.

KOREAN CULTURE AND SEOUL
My work trip to Seoul was wonderful. Our aim of wanting to promote Korean culture throught the swords exhibiton seems to have been very well understood and we will do all our effort to present in the most dedicated way the Korean superb weapons and culture that exist in the National Folk Museum directed by Prof. Hongnam Kim, the Military Museum where I met Mr. Jae-Han An and the War Memorial where I was greeted with exceptional honors that humbled me very much. The Director, was very kind. I was later given a tour of the Museum.

THE AIM OF THE KOREAN PARTICIPATION
I think it is of the utmost importance that we can ask for a great vision of the Korean Government in assisting us to bring to the world a very complete history of Korean culture through clothing and swords that will be printed in a catalogue that will become The Sourcebook for the future on Korean swords.
I think that Korean swords and history deserves to be well known and have already created a prelimminary page on some of the swords, and other weapons from the War Memorial and Military Museum. This and other websites pertaining to the Military Museum and the National Folk Museum will be updated as soon as possible for a full view.
This first year exhibition will comprise swords from:
- China
- Korea
- Japan
- Phillipines
- Thailand

By reducing the number of participating countries, we are originating more room to display a more comprehensive collection starting with stone age swords from Korea, to the Parhae, Shila, Three Kingdoms, Koryo and Joseon (Chosun) Dynasties. This will also result in a much larger section in the catalogue that is aimed for world distribution. It is aimed to become the Main Consulting Book for years to come.

The visit to Professor Kim Hongnam, director of National Folk Museum was very nice and constructive and a tour was given to me and Miss Jae-won who most kindly assisted me in any needed translations by Miss Lee KiWon. I was able to view garments of different dynasties which would indeed add impact to the Korean representation.
I think that a display of a couple's dress and some very chosen elements of Korean culture such as jewelry and perhpas an ink box would be extremelly good.
Fortunately for me, both Prof. Kim  and Mrs. Lee KiWon spoke wonderful English and were so kind and elegant.

On the afternoon we visited the Military Museum and were kindly greeted by Mr. Mr. Jae-Han An, who showed the Museum around. The swords that are to be indicated will soon be uploaded so that an entire group is shown.

The visit to the War Memorial was particularly humbling with the unexpected Reception provided, which left me very humbled and touched by how the Koreans regarded this effort and the credibility given to the Museum after the preliminary Museum visit.

The War Memorial Museum laid out a very warm welcome which included signing the book of honor, being received by the Korean General who greeted the Exhibition Coordinator and performing the drum ritual.

The Korean swords combined from different Museums as well as bows and arrows and other implements such as armours, horse saddles, polearms and clothing of different periods, will provide a very impressive and striking Section that will be both perpetuated online and in a large catalogue, making justice to Korean 5.000 thousand years of history.
We look forward for the quick development of this project with Korea Government and institutions.