A National Library of Korea (NLK) delegation visited Japan from June 17 to 24 on the 7th mutual visit program between the National Diet Library and the National Library of Korea. The program started in 1997 to promote interlibrary cooperation and to strengthen mutual understanding. 

Headed by Mr. Shin Hyun-tai, Director of the Public Service Division, this year's delegation had the following other members: Ms. Lee Sun, Deputy Chief of the Library Automation Office, and Ms. Cha Gyeong-lye of the Support and Cooperation Division.

The main program, a three-day seminar, was composed of three sessions: the first session for keynote speeches on the subject "Overview of the present status of the National Diet Library and the National Library of Korea," the second on the subject "Digital Library Construction," and the third for conclusions. 

Summaries of the speeches given in the seminar are the following (please click the links):

*Full texts of the reports (in Japanese) are available on this website.
 

Visits to the Kansai-kan and the ILCL
In the Kansai-kan of the National Diet Library, a library tour, explanation of each section's work and demonstration of the electronic library projects were provided to the delegation of the NLK. Both parties exchanged opinions and information actively on all occasions, and in particular electronic library projects and library cooperation projects aroused special interest in the NLK delegation. A library tour and meeting were also provided in the International Library of Children's Literature (ILCL).

Exchange of opinions on the mutual visit program
The program has already seven years' history. On this occasion, both parties exchanged future plans for the program. We affirmed that this program should be continued since its results are helpful in operating library services and strengthening mutual communication. In addition to this program, the possibility of other exchange programs was discussed.