Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently spearheaded the unveiling of a symbol of cultural kinship—a Turtle Ship, a historic Korean artifact given to Los Angeles by the South Korean city of Busan back in 1982. This piece, which has just undergone its first significant touch-up in nearly two decades, found a new berth at the LA Convention Center. Come 2028, the world will get a glimpse of this maritime marvel during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. As reported by the Mayor's Office, this move is aimed at making the historical gem more accessible to a broader audience.
Not everyone is thrilled about the relocation. Some members of the local Korean American community have voiced their concerns, labeling the move "very insensitive" and a slight to the diplomatic nature of the gift. Scott Suh, former Koreatown Neighborhood Council President, expressed the sentiment to NBC Los Angeles, "It's not good. It's very disrespectful." The fear is that once the Turtle Ship is at the Convention Center, it ceases to be a diplomatic artifact and is demoted to a mere display.
On the flip side, city officials and some community leaders tout the Turtle Ship's new location as a plus. “It ensures that the gift from Busan will be more accessible and enjoyed by a much wider audience,” Robert Ahn, President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, told the Mayor's Office. Mayor Bass echoed this, honoring the moment with the Korean American community and hinting at enhanced visibility to visitors globally.
To make sure the transition was handled with care, LA's Department of Cultural Affairs hand-picked professional conservators and art handlers for the restoration and reinstallation work, duly part of the City Art Collection. "We are thrilled to house such a precious gift," said Kim Weedmark, General Manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center, in an embrace of the artifact.
Despite the friction, Mayor Bass continues to champion Los Angeles' Sister City relationships, with plans for similar conservation and reinstallation efforts for other Sister City gifts, starting with those from Nagoya, Japan, slated for unveiling later this year. These initiatives uphold the city’s commitment to highlighting the pivotal role of art in LA's international relations and cultural diversity.
