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Korea, Saudi Arabia will boost cultural exchanges

November 25, 2013

By Chung Ah-young

Korea and Saudi Arabia are strengthening cooperation in their culture and tourism sectors.

Yoo Jin-ryong, Korean minister of culture, sports and tourism, met Saudi Arabian cultural heads to discuss ways of expanding cultural exchanges between the two countries during his visit to Riyadh, its capital city, on Nov. 24.

Yoo suggested the joint production of international documentaries, as part of broadcasting content cooperation, to Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja, Saudi Arabian minister of culture and information.

Given the growing popularity of the Korean drama series, “The Jewel in the Palace” and “Le Grand Chef” in Saudi Arabia, Yoo stressed the importance of expanding the cultural exchanges for both sides. Korea was invited as the guest of honor at the Janadriyah National Festival for Heritage and Culture there last year to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Also, the Korean minister proposed exhibition exchanges of the national museums of the two countries in a meeting with Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA)

Al Saud requested a Korean craft exhibition in his country when he visited Korea to sign an agreement to exchange and train craftsmen in their respective countries in May.

The “Hidden Match ― An Exhibition of Korean Craft,” supported by the Korean culture ministry and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation (KCDF), opened at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia on Nov. 24 and will continue for one month.

The Korean government is planning to dispatch craftsmen to the Arab country and hold international seminars on crafts next year. Also, following the Korean show there, the “Saudi Archaeological Masterpieces through the Ages” exhibition will be held in Korea in 2015.