Detail

`The 97th Inter-Parliamentary Conference and the 160th Inter-Parliamentary Council are slated to be held at the National Assembly in Korea from April 10 through 15,1997. The Inter-Parliamentary Union was founded in Paris, France, in 1889 for the purpose of realizing world peace and serving as an international intermediary. More specifically, the IPU works to encourage mutual cooperation and exchange between national legislative bodies and their members, to promote exchange of views for the settlement of international disputes, to contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights, and to improve understanding throughout the world of the parliamentary system. The IPU has grown into the world`s largest parliamentary organization. It consists of 135 national legislatures as members, three legislative bodies as associate members, and 40 international organizations as observers. The IPU deals with major pending issues in all major fields including international cooperation, security, politics, economy, society, culture, and the environment and the sustainable development as well as matters related to gender equality including women in politics and protection of women against violence, human rights issues, and democracy. Korea joined the IPU at the Copenhagen Inter-Parliamentary Conference in Denmark in August, 1964, Since then, Korea has actively participated in all IPU activities it now sends a delegation to every annual conterence. Although Seoul hosted the 70th Inter Parliamentary Conference in 1983, it was somewhat marred by the mass absence of communist countries. Much has changed these past 14years, however, so this year`s conference will provide a valuable opportunity for Korea to demonstrate its much augmented political prestige to legislative leaders from all over the world. Indeed, in the 90s, in particular, Korea has achieved a great deal with the inauguration of its first civilian government and the growing strength and influence of its economy, political position, and culture. On the occasion of the 97th IPU Seoul Conference, the Ministry of Information and Communication is issuing a commemorative stamp featuring a folk painting `Auspicious Turtles` and the IPU symbol. The turtle is the symbol of longevity and good fortune. This stamp will inspire interest in the conference at home and abroad at the same time express Korea`s hope for the success or the conference. The stamp was disigned by Lee Hye-ok, stamp designer of the MIC.`