Development of cultural exchange and relations between South Korea and Kazakhstan will lay the foundation for closer cooperation in all other spheres - Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea Yoo Jin-ryong
Last year out countries commemorated 20 years since establishing diplomatic ties. What steps are you planning to make in order to boost the bilateral cooperation in culture?
The 20th anniversary in 2012 was marked by festivities and exchange visits of the Kazakh and South Korean cultural groups in Astana and Seoul. The cultural cooperation was also cemented with new contracts in other fields, such as music, sport and cinematography.
Ministers of culture from six countries, including the Republic of Korea and Kazakhstan, signed the Gwangju Declaration during the first ever Korean-Central Asian Cultural Summit in Gwangju in August 2012. The declaration sets forward their opinion on the necessity to facilitate continuous cultural exchange. The document contains the basic principles of accumulation of cultural wealth through preserving and using cultural resources.
In line with the provisions of the Gwangju Declaration, the ministerial meetings will be held on a regular basis. The meetings will concentrate mainly on the problems of expansion of cultural exchange and cooperation between South Korea and CA region.
I would like to note that South Korea will go to great lengths to carry out the bilateral cultural exchange at the same time promoting the values of harmony and peace that are highly respected by the people of Kazakhstan.
The cultural cooperation may also be broadened through institutional projects and joint social events, traditional culture, classical music, K-Pop, theater, films, sport, education and tourism.
I strongly believe that strengthening of cultural exchange and relations will lay the solid foundation for closer cooperation between our countries in all other spheres, including policy, economy and society. I look forward to support and greater interest on the part of all Kazakhstanis.
In your opinion, what role does the Korean diaspora play in Kazakhstan in terms of strengthening and improving cultural ties between the two countries?
Korean diaspora in Kazakhstan makes its own contribution to the development of your country, being an integral part of Kazakhstani society. People of Kazakhstan lent a helping hand to the Korean diaspora during hardships when they first settled on the territory of Kazakhstan. In order to pay back today the Korean diaspora plans and organizes various events.
Through the National Korean Theater and Kazakhstan Korean Association, the diaspora plays an important role in preserving and developing the Korean culture and language in Kazakhstan.
I hope their role will gain momentum in the years to come. The Government of South Korea will continue to render necessary assistance.
What cultural events are you planning to hold in Kazakhstan in the near future?
The Korean Cultural Center in Kazakhstan is planning to host a concert with the support of Astana and Almaty municipal administrations in late August. The aim of the concert is to familiarize Kazakhstan with the traditional culture of South Korea and expand cultural exchange between our nations.
In addition, Astana municipal administration and the South Korean Cultural Center will organize a photo contest and an exhibition dated to the 15th anniversary of the Kazakh capital - Astana in June-July.
The Kazakhstan Taekwondo Association is expected to hold a taekwondo tournament on 22 June.
Four cities of Kazakhstan - Astana, Almaty, Atyrau and Ust-Kamenogorsk will welcome the Korean Cinema Festival in June-July as well.
As you know, Astana was chosen as the host city of the International specialized exhibition "EXPO-2017". Will South Korea participate in this grandiose event?
Of course, South Korea is going to take an active part in EXPO-2017.
Kazakh performers amazed the guests of EXPO-2012 in Yeosu, South Korea. Thanks to their performance, EXPO-2012 has proved to be a place where various countries could demonstrate their cultures.
South Korea looks forward to further strengthening of the bilateral cooperation with Kazakhstan through its active participation in EXPO-2017.
What needs to be done to increase tourist flow between South Korea and Kazakhstan?
The memorandum of understanding in the field of tourism was signed on 5 May 2011 between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This document serves as the basis for development of tourism between the two nations.
Participation in tourism trade shows, cooperation between the tourism association and agencies, increasing investments into the tourism industry of both countries, workshops and exchange of valuable information in this sphere will help boost tourist flow from Kazakhstan to South Korea and vice versa.
In 2011, South Korea organized a special event in Kazakhstan to demonstrate the Korean medical services. It helped increase the flow of tourists coming to South Korea in pursuit of medical aid.
The medical tourism has become an important instrument in the development of tourism between South Korea and Kazakhstan. We need to work together to create new ideas for tourist exchange in various sectors.
In general, the number of tourists from Kazakhstan to South Korea amounted to 11 903 people, increasing for 31.7% in comparison with the last year. The tourist flow from South Korea to Kazakhstan was also on overall increase.
South Korea is also very positive about the opening of a branch office of the Korea Tourism Organization in Kazakhstan that will play a significant role in the development of bilateral tourism.
Thank you!