Sabah and Boseong County Sign MoU to Promote Festival, Tourism, and Cultural Exchange

31 May 2025

KOTA KINABALU : Sabah’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Boseong County, South Korea, to strengthen collaboration in festival promotion, tourism, and cultural exchange.

The MoU was signed by KePKAS Deputy Permanent Secretary I, Mary Malangking, and the Deputy Governor of Boseong County, Seo Hyung Bin.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment, who is also Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, and Director-General of the Culture and Tourism Bureau of Boseong County, Rho Joung Yi. The event took place during a welcoming dinner in Kota Kinabalu, held in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival on Friday.

Datuk Joniston described the MoU as a significant step towards fostering closer ties and mutual appreciation of each other’s cultural traditions.

“This partnership is about people – about building understanding and sharing our stories. The timing of this MoU, coinciding with our Kaamatan Festival, makes it even more meaningful.

“With this year’s theme, Kaamatan for All, it reflects our desire to share this celebration with the world. We are honoured to welcome our friends from Boseong and to let them experience the spirit of Kaamatan with us,” he said.

Joniston also highlighted a recent visit by Sabah representatives to Boseong during the Green Tea Festival. He noted that the warm hospitality and the opportunity to learn about Boseong’s tea culture were deeply appreciated, adding that such exchanges foster mutual respect and cultural appreciation.

With direct flights linking Kota Kinabalu and South Korea, Joniston believes that opportunities for cultural and festival exchanges will continue to grow.

As part of the ongoing exchange, a cultural troupe from Boseong is set to perform today (31 May) on the open stage at Hongkod Koisaan, KDCA, as part of the Kaamatan Festival finale.

“This performance will offer Sabahans a unique opportunity to experience the music and culture of Boseong,” Joniston said, expressing hope that Sabah will one day have the chance to showcase the Kaamatan Festival in Boseong.

The MoU is expected to pave the way for more cultural activities, exchange visits, and tourism promotion initiatives between the two regions.

Joniston described this as a promising beginning and expressed hope that the collaboration will continue to grow stronger.

Also present at the signing ceremony were KePKAS Deputy Permanent Secretary II, Alesia Sion; Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Kota Kinabalu, His Excellency Yoon Ockchae; Chief Executive Officer of the Jeollanamdo Tourism Organization, Kim Young Sin; and Chairlady of the KDCA Women’s Council, Datuk Joanna Kitingan.