South Korea on Tuesday vowed to use the ongoing Nuclear Security Summit as an opportunity to boost cultural cooperation and exchanges with the global community and promote "cultural welfare" in developing countries.
South Korean Culture Minister Choe Kwang-shik told reporters at the summit media center in southern Seoul his government is determined to more actively push policies to diversify its cultural exchanges with the developing bloc.
"The goal is to increase exchanges and provide opportunities for marginalized people as the country successfully transformed from aid beneficiary to donor," the minister said.
The minister laid out a plan to support cultural and art activities in developing countries and dispatch volunteers who will introduce traditional Korean culture and arts.
In addition, the government plans to launch two more Korean cultural centers in New York and Paris, according to the minister.
The centers have served a major role in increasing the world's awareness of Korean culture in general and promoting cultural exchanges with foreign countries since the first two opened in Tokyo and New York in 1979.
South Korea will work closely with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by holding the "Korea-UNESCO Joint Declaration of UNESCO International Arts Education Week" at the UNESCO headquarters and co-hosting round tables and international symposiums this year to develop a sustainable model for cultural exchanges, the minister added.
Meanwhile, South Korea plans to participate in major international events, starting with hosting the 2012 World Expo in the southern port city of Yeosu on May 12 for a 93-day run, which is expected to attract more than 10 million visitors from around the world.
On Sept. 24, the 90th session of the OECD Tourism Committee kicks off in the southern county of Muju to discuss major issues in the global tourism industry. The South Korean alpine city of PyeongChang is also slated to hold the Winter Olympics in 2018. (Yonhap News)
