On June 16th, the Doosan Group's Yonkang Foundation announced that the annual overseas academic tour for teachers, which it sponsors, is to take place this year between June 16th and July 2nd, with 91 elementary and secondary school teachers as participants.

Teachers selected through a rigorous screening process by 16 offices of education nationwide are offered a ten-day, nine-night trip to China and Japan. Divided into three groups, the 91 participants will be exploring cultural and historic sites in these two countries.

Goguryeo archeological sites in Jian, China, brought into the spotlight by controversies sparked by the so-called Northeast Project, and historic sites in Beijing and the environs are among the stops on the itinerary.

In Japan, participants are scheduled to survey Baekje archeological sites in the Auska region.

The teachers will also devote some of their time to visiting schools in Beijing and Osaka, to gain insight into the reality of local education.

The purpose of this historical tour is foremost educational and pedagogical. The first-hand knowledge they will acquire of historic sites is expected to enrich and enliven classroom instruction.

Doosan's academic tour program for teachers began in 1989. Well-planned itineraries made this program rewarding for participating teachers. 1,722 total teachers have participated to date in this hugely popular historical discovery program.