ADC Inaugurated at National Assembly

Rep. Nam takes helm at the non-profit center

The Asia Design Center (ADC) was established at the National Assembly on March 31 with the goal of enhancing the quality competitiveness of design as a cultural asset of Asia and the nation’s standing through design exchanges and proliferation in the region.
The center has set three implementation tasks ― facilitating international design exchanges, strengthening design networks and establishing the identity of Asian design. In this regard, it plans to support and educate design collaboration projects, promote cooperation in publication and jointly build creative infrastructure in the region.
The ADC has three headquarters ― the Business Headquarters comprising industrial design, space design, visual/information design and beauty design departments; the Overseas Collaboration Headquarters with China, Japan and other countries’ departments; and the Academic Study Headquarters with publication, education and scholastic study departments.
The ADC, headed by Rep. Nam Kyung-pil, chairman of the Design Korea Parliament Forum, has two vice chairmen, Prof. Maeng Hyung-jae, of Kunkook University, and Kyung Yoon-ho, CEO of Mobilicus, and a 25-member advisory body comprising, Rep. Lee Yoon-sung; Rep. Kim Moo-sung; Rep. Park Jin, chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification; Rep. Kwon Young-se; Rep. Chung Byung-kook; Rep. Won Yoo-churl; Rep. Kang Bu-kil; Rep. Kim Ki-hyun; and Rep. Kim Choon-jin.
ADC Chairman Nam said in his speech at the inaugural ceremony, “We’re going flat-out to boost exchanges between Korea and Asian countries through education, academic studies and creative activities on design, and the ADC plans to carry out non-profit projects to gather information on design and promote exchanges and creative activities among related organizations in order to enhance the nation’s design competitiveness.”
Chung Mong-joon, chairman of the ruling Grand National Party, said in his speech, “Seoul is said to be a developed and modernized metropolis, but some people point out the fact that it is not easy to find modernized designs while walking down the streets. And though contents are significant things, the importance of design cannot be overemphasized in the industrial field as well.” He expressed the hope that the participating design experts will devote themselves to enhancing awareness toward the importance of design and making the Korean design industry one of the nation’s growth engines.
The inauguration of the ADC also coincided with lectures by Chung Kyung-won, chief design officer at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, who spoke about the theme, “Design, Urban Aesthetics, and Competitiveness,” and by Prof. Maeng, of Kunkook University, who touched on the value of Asian design. nw

Parliamentarians attend a ceremony to inaugurate the Asia Design Center (ADC) at the National Assembly on March 31 with the goal of enhancing the quality competitiveness of design.Rep. Nam Kyung-pil, far right, welcomes the visitors.