Respected friends from the global fishing family, honorable guests and officials, ladies and gentlemen:

I consider it very significant that the Fishing World Cup 2003 has come to be hosted in my hometown, the city of Yeosu.

To President Yoon, and all the officials who, representing the 330,000 citizens of Yeosu, immersed themselves in making this event a success, and to the participants whom I welcome here to the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, I express my sincere gratitude.

The city of Yeosu is not just a seaside tourist community with a marine industry; its boundaries embrace 317 nearby islasnds, and many of its citizens work in the petrochemical industry.

Moreover, Yeosu is an historic city, where still lives the spirit of love and loyalty toward the nation that was demonstrated by the national hero Admiral Sun-shin Lee, who 410 years ago built the world's first armor-clad topped warship, called the Tortoise Ship.

Over a number of years, as a candidate site for the 2010 Expo World's Fair, Yeosu, a small, though beautiful city, demonstrated to the world that we possess the ability to present a vision that is unfolding in rhythm with this new century. It is no wonder that the Fishing World Cup has come to Yeosu, with hundreds of anglers from Korea and many other nations, to enjoy competing in this beautiful setting.

I am sure you can develop warm friendships through meeting one another and talking over the coming three days. It will be exciting to watch as you exhibit your fishing skills and techniques.

My friends from the global fishing family, please, just feel that you are at home while staying in Yeosu and take a lot of beautiful and precious memories back with you.