Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter
In an effort to boost the cultural ties with Qatar, South Korean embassy in Qatar has launched a Qatar-Korea Friendship Club.
Speaking to Gulf Times, South Korean Ambassador to Qatar Keejong Chung said that two Korean music and dance groups will visit Qatar later this year. He also revealed that the club will start Korean language teaching from next month.
Chung said: “Cultural co-operation is the basis for understanding the heritage and values of both the countries. Keeping this in mind we opened the Korean cultural heritage centre inside the embassy last year. This has further resulted in the establishment of the Qatar Korea Cultural Club. At present there are 30 members in the club and the plans are to have regular monthly meetings of the members of the club.”
He said there will be several activities at the monthly gatherings. “There will be discussions on Korean literature and food and the participants will be given cooking classes on preparation of many of the Korean dishes. Similarly, there will be discussion on Qatari music and other cultural aspects which the Korean counterparts will cherish,” he added.
The South Korean envoy said that several student exchange programmes between the universities in both countries are going on. During summer vacation some of the Qatari students will visit South Korea and a number of Korean students also will be in Qatar.
He explained: “Last year six Qatari students completed their bachelor studies in Korea and returned. Next month another group of Qatari students will go to Korea for their higher studies. Similarly, there are some Korean students in Qatar University as well as Georgetown University in Qatar. This gives room for smooth cultural interaction and further co-operation in many fields.”
As for the cultural interaction, Chung said that the members of the Qatar Korea Friendship Club used to gather at various Korean restaurants and discuss Korean drama and music. He added that the visit of the Korean troupes later this year would help to cement the cultural ties between both countries.
Ambassador Keejong Chung addressing the students at the inaugural Qatar Korea Friendship Club meeting.
