"A city that follows the Western development model even as it cherishes Confucianist traditions." This phrase, which may at first glance seem to be contradictory, explains the unique character of Daegu. Even within Korea, Gyeongsangbuk-do province is famous for its conservativeness and strong pride in its tradition.

Thus Daegu, the central city of Gyeongsangbuk-do, possesses numerous tangible and intangible cultural assets, and these exist in harmony with the modern buildings and transportation of "Korea's third city."

Visit the center of cultural and economic activity in Daegu, the area around Dongseongno Street in the Jung-gu District, and you will find modern city streets alongside Yakjeon-golmok, Daegu's traditional medicine market.

Thanks to the abundant medicinal ingredients to be found in the nearby Taebaeksan Mountains and Nakdonggang River area, Yakjeongolmok has been the center of the medicinal ingredient business since sometime around the year 1600 in the Joseon period. Even today, a huge festival called "Yangnyeongje" is held every October. It is valuable not only as a market for medicinal ingredients, but also as a tourism resource.

Daegu is also home to Mt. Palgongsan, the site of many Buddhist temples and Silla (an ancient Korean kingdom which existed from 57 B.C. to A.D. 935) cultural relics, as well as hyanggyo (Confucian schools) scattered here and there about the city. Through these one can see that ev- en though Daegu is a future-oriented city, it also values and preserves its traditions.

Another popular attraction held in Daegu this year was the International Textile Fair (held March 20-23.). Korea is fifth in world textile exports, behind China, Italy, Germany and the United States, and Daegu is the center of Korea's textile industry and a world-famous production base for synthetic textiles.

Through this year's Universiade and International Textile Fair, Daegu will firmly establish its image as a city that both protects its beautiful tradition and is making a leap into the future as a modern cultural city. It is also not neglecting its residents, improving the quality of life through its development as an environmentally friendly city.