COLOMBO: The Republic of Korea is also becoming a cultural icon. K-pop idols such as BTS, Black Pink, and Twice have received overwhelming affection from youth in all corners of the world. In addition, Korean dramas, movies, and cuisine have attracted a global audience. K-dramas such as Daejanggum also known as ‘Sujatha Diyani’ and the award-winning movie “Parasite” have ushered in an era of a cultural renaissance. The unprecedented degree of interest and enthusiasm shown by Sri Lankans in embracing the Korean culture, cinema, dramas, and cuisine have prompted the Korean Embassy to organize many events to promote cultural events and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Cultural events organized by the Korean Embassy to celebrate 45 years of friendship
In commemoration of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Sri Lanka, the Korean Embassy organized a series of special cultural events like the Korean Lantern Festival, Quiz on Korea, K-pop World festival and Korean Ambassador’s Taekwondo Championship, and the Korean Film Festival that concluded successfully just recently. The love and support shown by Sri Lankans for these events is a source of great motivation and encouragement for the Korean Embassy.
Adoption of Korean Language to the advanced level stream
The Korean language is getting popular among Sri Lankan youth with the increased popularity of K-Pop and K-Drama. Reflecting on this social trend, the Korean Embassy commends the steps taken by the Sri Lankan government to adopt the Korean language for advanced level classes from 2021 onwards and introduce Korean as a subject among foreign languages for the university entrance examination from 2023. The initiatives taken by the Sri Lankan government together with the Korean Embassy with the aim of encouraging more people in Sri Lanka to learn the Korean language will enhance the employability of Sri Lankans to work in Korea and build bridges for communication.
From Korean people living in Sri Lanka with love
The Korean residents in Sri Lanka have lived here for a long time, more than 20 to 30 years. They have continued to support Sri Lanka and its people through many challenges. To strengthen efforts to combat the economic difficulties faced by Sri Lankan students this year, the Korean people living in Sri Lanka handed over educational equipment amounting to alround Rs. 4 million to the Ministry of Education. The united spirit of Korean residents to donate by their own means with sincere generosity to help this beautiful island nation is very meaningful.
National Liberation Day of the Republic of Korea
Remembering the 77th anniversary of the National Liberation Day of the Republic of Korea, Ambassador Santhush Woonjin JEONG and leaders of Korean communities in Sri Lanka celebrated the Liberation Day at the Korean Embassy.
A glimpse of Anti-Covid Cooperation
Korea has been a friend of Sri Lanka in its hour of need. International cooperation and solidarity were key factors to overcome global challenges that the world faced. Korea made utmost efforts to join the global efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as a responsible member of the international community. Since last year the public health cooperation between Korea and Sri Lanka has been robust. The Republic of Korea has stood in solidarity with Sri Lanka to help strengthen the government of Sri Lanka’s national response to the pandemic. At the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic last year, Korea successfully overcame the critical stage of the spread of the virus by adopting a proactive approach to control the pandemic. The Korean government also disseminated information regarding the strategies used to combat the virus amongst all international partners including Sri Lanka.
Stay Strong Campaign
Under the “stay strong” campaign, Korea has been a friend indeed in times of need, by donating around $3 million worth of equipment to combat the COVID-19 virus in Sri Lanka in the last two years. The support included various forms of anti-covid equipment such as the handover of test kits worth $800,000 to support emergency health response activities in Sri Lanka. The Korean government partnered with International Organizations such as UNICEF and handed over $230,000 worth of anti-COVID-19 face masks to the government of Sri Lanka to successfully overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
Live Together Campaign
In 2021, as the world healed, with the aim of ushering an era of happiness, international cooperation and solidarity, Korea’s Foreign Ministry initiated ‘Live Together’ campaign with a view of countering hate crimes or division related to COVID-19 and urging solidarity and unity.
END Violence for children Campaign
This year, Korea’s Foreign Ministry and UNICEF Headquarters successfully launched the ‘END Violence for children’ global SNS campaign throughout the world, to help protect children from all forms of violence.
WORLD EXPO 2030 BUSAN, KOREA
The Republic of Korea: A Symbol of Hope and Powerhouse of Culture and Technology
From Aid Recipient to Global Contributor…A Symbol of Hope
World Expos have always presented a new vision for the potential of mankind. World Expo 2030 will serve as a forum for cooperation to tackle global challenges.World Expo 2030 will be a fitting venue to build consensus between advanced and emerging economies. Having made the successful journey from a developing country to a developed one, the Republic of Korea is best positioned to bridge the two. History shows that Korea has created opportunities out of challenges and emerged from crises stronger than ever before. From a war-torn aid recipient to a donor to a top-ten economic powerhouse, Korea is a symbol of hope that strives for world peace, harmony and inclusion.
A Front Runner in the 4th Industrial Revolution and Soft Power
As a world-leading global IT hub, Korea is at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution with competitive technologies- AI, IoT, Big Data and Smart Mobility. Meanwhile K-culture, K-pop and K-Food have permeated the daily lives of people around the world, setting a new global standard for soft power in terms of culture, knowledge and thought.
Busan: Designing- the Future of Humanity
Busan’s diverse and dynamic culture which originates from a mixture of different people and cultures continues to evolve, making Busan the best city for designing the future of mankind, a future of mutual respect and of harmony that communicates with the world. In 2030, Busan will pave the way for harmony and the common prosperity of humanity. Moreover, Busan has a special place on the history of Korea as it was the main point of interaction with the outside world dating back to ancient Gaya and Shilla periods 1,500-2,000 years ago via the trade and cultural exchange. It is a city that laid the foundation for Korea’s economic development and the growth of global Korean companies following the Korean War. It has the optimal geographic location at the intersection of Eurasia and the Pacific Ocean and is highly accessible from anywhere. As a cultural hub that leads K-content especially the world renowned Busan International Film Festival and G-STAR, it is a must-visit place for foodies and tourists. Under the theme of Transforming Our World, Navigating toward a Better Future, Korea’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo will be platform to change the way of thinking and value. Busan, the center of Korean transformation, will set a new course toward a better tomorrow for humanity and the Earth.