The 12th Hampyeong Butterfly and Insect Expo in South Jeolla Province has opened following a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning.

Some 300 local residents and visitors were in attendance for the ceremony at the Hampyeong square that is serving as the venue for the expo.

Following the ceremony, some one-thousand local residents participated in a parade and butterfly release event.

The 17-day event will feature a wide variety of happenings, including exhibitions and cultural and artistic events.