Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo on Oct. 24 delivers a speech at the 2019 Special AMCA Plus ROK (Republic of Korea) Meeting at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju.

By Lee Hana

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo on Nov. 24 stressed the importance of cultural cooperation in an op-ed titled "ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-Korea Summit: Korea and ASEAN jointly create harmony" published by The Korea Herald. 

His piece was published the day before the start of the 2019 ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan.

Saying "culture is the most important key to further strengthening bilateral ties," the minister discussed Vietnam's enthusiasm for Park Hang-seo, the Korean coach of the Vietnamese national soccer team, the 45,000 fans that swarmed the Hallyu event KCON Thailand 2019, and the 11 million tourists that annually travel between Korea and the ASEAN region.

"Relations between Korea and ASEAN are growing deeper," Park said, adding that "it's possible to deepen mutual understanding by appreciating each other's cultures since a society's history, traditions, lifestyles and values are reflected in its culture."

"Nowadays, content firms are leading economic innovation in many countries, and thus culture serves as the cradle of original content that generates economic prosperity as well. Korea and ASEAN can also share economic prosperity through cultural exchanges and cooperation."

Highlighting select events on the sidelines of the summit such as the ASEAN Fantasia Concert and the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Culture Innovation Summit, the minister expressed his hope for the growth of these cultural exchanges.

"There are many similarities and differences in the cultures of Korea and ASEAN member states. Levels of happiness will undoubtedly rise when people come together and enjoy each other's cultures," he said.

Park's op-ed piece can be found at the following link.
http://m.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20191124000072&ACE_SEARCH=1

hlee10@korea.kr