The closest harbor to China in Gyeonggi-do, Pyeongtaek Port, announced on Apr. 26 that its PR Center would open soon. 

The final architectural design was selected through a public contribution and a budget of about 6 billion won (provincial expense of 4.2 billion won and municipal expense of 1.8 billion won) was invested in this project. The PR Center started construction in Oct. of 2002 and will be a 3-story building built on a 1,219 pyeong building site. The building itself contains various facilities such as an observation platform, pavilion, visual hall and other conveniences. 

The PR Center will open throughout the year, except on legal holidays, from 10:00 to 18:00. A port tourist course that will explore around the port will also be prepared for group visitors. 

The 1st and 2nd floors of the center will have mobile model cranes and harbor simulations and souvenir photographing corners to help visitors to understand and experience what a harbor is. 

A visual room is set up on the 3rd floor with comfortable sets and atmosphere, where the past, present and future images of Pyeongtaek Port are projected on 3-sided wide-color screens. 

Also an observation platform is located on the top floor, 4th floor, where the whole port can be seen. 

An official of the Gyeonggi-do government said, “Pyeongtaek Port is located with convenient transportation network which makes it close to the Metropolitan area, and works as a progressive station for Chinese commerce because of neighboring industrial complexes, benefiting the port as an international trade port centering in northeast Asia. 

He also added, “The PR Center will greatly contribute to the port in improving its image as an physical distribution center in northeast Asia.”