Culture Minister vows to diversify international cultural exchanges

Korea will shift the focus of cultural exchange from developed countries to Third World countries, said Choe Kwang-shik, minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Tuesday.

Choe announced plans to enhance international cooperation and exchanges in culture, sports and tourism and promote cultural welfare at a media briefing at the 2012 Nuclear Security Summit media center at COEX, Samseong-dong, Tuesday.

The basic plans for Korean cultural policy include finding creativity in tradition, promotion of cultural diversity and expansion of cultural welfare. It also includes plans to strengthen international cooperation by supporting UNESCO cooperation programs and dispatching young cultural volunteer groups overseas. 

“The goal is to increase exchanges and provide opportunities for marginalized people as the country has successfully transformed itself from an aid beneficiary to a donor,” said Choe.

Korea will hold the “Korea-UNESCO Joint Declaration of UNESCO International Arts Education Week” at the UNESCO headquarters this year to develop a sustainable model for cultural exchanges.

The government is also planning to open more Korean Cultural Centers in addition to the current 23 centers.

Choe also introduced some of the major international events to be held in Korea, including the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea to be held in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, from May 12 to Aug. 12. the 90th session of the OECD Tourism Committee which will be held in Muju, South Jeolla Province, from Sept. 24-25, and the 2018 Winter Olympics to be held in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province.

“Olympics is more than simply a sports event; it is an event where culture, economics, environment and peace come together. We will continue the legacy after the Olympics and make PyeongChang a winter sports hub and a travel attraction,” said Choe.

On hallyu, or the Korean Wave, Choe expressed hopes that it would expand into other cultural sectors such as traditional culture, fine arts, fashion and food to become a sustainable wave.

“Entertainment agencies and broadcasters will put in great efforts, and the government will work as a coordinator. But considering that some regions are expressing antipathy toward hallyu, we will work to continue hallyu as a two-way wave, not one-way.”

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)