Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon (right) on Sept. 26 takes a photo with Greek Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni at the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cultural cooperation at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul's Jongno-gu District. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

By Gil Kyuyoung

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has agreed with Greece to boost cooperation in culture including cultural heritage and performing arts.

Minister Yu In Chon and Greek Minister of Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni on Sept. 26 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on bilateral cultural cooperation at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.

The MOU stipulates the specific scope and sectors for such collaboration in cultural heritage, performing arts, the audiovisual industry and book exchange.

The agreement covers the intent of both sides to expand cultural exchange through the following measures: promotion of knowledge and experience exchange related to the protection and promotion of cultural heritage; stronger cooperation among cultural institutions like museums; expansion of human exchange in performing arts such as theater, music and dance; more collaboration in the production and promotion of movies and audiovisual works; and participation in book fairs of the two nations, publication and translation.

Since forming diplomatic ties in 1961 and concluding a cultural agreement in 1967, the two sides have conducted cultural exchange. For example, the 42nd Korea Theater Festival in April in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province, saw directors and actors from both countries hold a joint performance of the Greek tragedy "Antigone."

"Based on Greece's strengths in the restoration, protection and discovery of cultural heritage and Korea's in pop culture and arts such as K-pop and dramas, the two countries have huge potential to cooperate and develop together," Minister Yu said. "We hope to further reinforce amicable bilateral relations through the signing of this MOU."

gilkyuyoung@korea.kr