Korea Eyes Egypt, UAE, Turkey as Key Gateways for Cultural Expansion

"When Hong-joon Yoo, the current director of the National Museum of Korea, visited Egypt during his tenure as head of the Cultural Heritage Administration, there was an interesting episode," Culture Minister Hwi-young Choi said. "Egypt is rich in marble and has considerable granite as well. Korea excels in granite processing expertise. Director Yoo sent granite specialists to Egypt to provide training. While Egypt has abundant cultural heritage, there are areas where we are ahead."

Minister Choi shared this anecdote during an interview with The Seoul Economic Daily on January 1 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Seoul in Jongno-gu, discussing cultural exchanges between Korea and Egypt. President Myung Lee visited Egypt during his tour of the Middle East and Africa for the G20 summit late last month, signing the first cultural cooperation memorandum of understanding between the two countries—though bilateral exchanges have a long history.

Since Minister Choi took office, the pace of international cultural exchanges has accelerated. Following the adoption of a joint declaration at the APEC summit held in Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1—the first APEC declaration to recognize "cultural and creative industries" as a new growth engine—Korea has moved within a month to expand K-Culture in the Middle East and North Africa.

Under the MOU between Korea and Egypt, the two countries will expand exchanges and cooperation in culture, content, arts, and publishing. The Grand Egyptian Museum, the world's largest museum that recently opened, and Korea's National Museum of Korea plan to pursue exhibitions, academic collaboration, and personnel exchanges. Hong-joon Yoo, who served as Cultural Heritage Administration head at the time, is now positioned to renew this partnership as director of the National Museum of Korea. "The Egyptian side plans to visit Korea next year, and we also plan to visit them," Minister Choi added.

Korea also achieved cultural exchange outcomes with the UAE and Turkey during President Lee's tour. "I accompanied the president to the UAE, where we agreed to establish 'K-City' as a hub for the Korean Wave," Minister Choi said. The UAE showed such enthusiasm that the two leaders' joint declaration explicitly stated the country's commitment to serving as "a cultural exchange hub connecting K-Culture with the entire Middle East." K-City will be developed as a dedicated space in the UAE featuring Korean culture, food, and fashion in one location.

"These three countries will serve as crucial bridgeheads for expanding K-Culture into the Middle East and Africa," Minister Choi said. "Like countries around the world, they are paying attention to K-Culture and hoping for more active cultural exchanges with Korea."

Minister Choi also placed high value on the adoption of the joint declaration on cultural and creative industries at the Gyeongju APEC summit. He had chaired the first-ever APEC high-level cultural dialogue in August, ahead of the main summit. "The adoption of cultural and creative industries is very encouraging for Korea, which has gained attention for K-Culture," Minister Choi said. "Based on our competitiveness built through K-Culture, we will actively pursue official development assistance programs related to culture."

Regarding relations with China, Minister Choi noted, "Looking at the successful Korea-China summit at the Gyeongju APEC, it is clear that cultural exchanges with China, next year's APEC host, will become more active." He added, "We will make good use of this favorable atmosphere and gradually expand exchanges within a range that does not burden either side."