Park Byung-gyu, director of the Global Communication and Content Division of the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS), on Dec. 15 receives the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award from Kim Djun Kil, head of the KOCIS alumni association, on behalf of Mark Peterson, professor emeritus at Brigham Young University of the U.S. who could not attend, at an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of KOCIS in Seoul. (Jeon Han)

By Lee Kyoung Mi and Lee Jihae
Photo and video = Jeon Han

Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) Director Park Jung-Youl on Dec. 15 said, "Global interest in and expectations for Korea led to the glorious achievement of Hallyu (Korean Wave)," adding, "To engage the world more actively, we will strengthen our role as a platform for disseminating Korean culture and communicating related policy throughout the globe."

"The opening of the newly refurbished KOCIS Center and today's commemorative ceremony are the starting point," he said on the 10th floor of the Korea Press Center in Seoul's Jung-gu District where the ceremony for KOCIS' 50th anniversary took place.

The event also marked the opening of KOCIS Center, which was set up after the renovation and expansion of the former Foreign Media Integrated Support Center.

Mentioning the active role of BTS and global popularity of the Korean Netflix TV series "Squid Game," the director added, "The whole world is paying attention to Korean cultural content, which attests to the high status of Korean culture."

Founded on Dec. 31, 1971, as the Korean Overseas Information Service under the Ministry of Culture and Information, KOCIS is now under the umbrella of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and greatly contributes to the spread of Korea's positive image abroad. It also runs 33 Korean Cultural Centers in 28 nations and serves as a foothold for promoting Hallyu worldwide.

The event reflected on past promotional activities by KOCIS and presented the agency's plans. Congratulatory videos were shown from K-influencers, or foreign experts in promoting Korean content, and Korea.net's Honorary Reporters.

Individuals and organizations who promoted and helped the development of Korean culture also received awards from the culture ministry.

Mark Peterson, professor emeritus at Brigham Young University of the U.S., in Korean expressed his gratitude for receiving the award and said he will continue conveying messages about Korea through analyzing and explaining Korean culture.

He is a regular contributor of columns for Korea.net on rebutting historical distortions by Japan.