SEOUL, KOREA - President Park Geun-hye emphasized the importance of culture by saying that, “culture is the most valuable asset we have.” President Park made these remarks during a New Year’s meeting with influential figures from the culture and the arts scene on January 3.
“Looking back on my experiences, I feel that culture gives solace to those who experience hardships, helping them to find small joys in life, and offers them the power to heal,” said the president. “Cultural space is something that makes people’s hearts warm as they gather together. Though they speak different languages and are unable to communicate in different environments, they can still take an interest in others through culture, have a better understanding and even get to like one another. So culture has the power to create one mind and one people, despite the language barrier,” she said.
Mentioning her presidential visits overseas last year, President Park said that she was always impressed whenever she witnessed the popularity among young people there of K-pop, Korean-made TV soap operas and Korean-made movies. “When witnessing the enthusiasm for Korean culture seen around the world, I thought that this could lead to a new era,” said the president.
“When I attended a Korean drama party in Paris, I wore Western clothes but the French youth were wearing hanbok, the traditional Korean attire. I said hello in French and they greeted me back in Korean,” President Park said jokingly, which made the participants in the meeting laugh as they shared the meaning of cultural understanding.
About 100 people from the culture and arts scene attended the meeting. Among them included Minister of Culture, Sports & Tourism Yoo Jinryong, Chairman Kim Dong-ho of the Presidential Committee for Cultural Enrichment, pianist Paik Kun-woo, pansori master Ahn Sook-sun, violinist Shin Zia Hyunsu, K-pop group EXO and the actress and musician Kim So-hyeon.
President Park encouraged all the attendees by saying, “Each of you embodies the living culture and are all important cultural assets yourselves.” She further called on them to, “lead Korean culture, helping it to contribute to peace in the global village.”
President Park brought with her some Matryoshka nesting dolls which Russian President Vladimir Putin had offered her as a gift. As she explained the importance of culture, she presented all 12 sets of the traditional Russian dolls to the meeting participants. “Those who are not familiar with Russian culture will take an interest in Russia when they see these dolls. I hope we can also stretch Korean culture to cover the world and help make Korea a country with a culture loved by people all around the globe,” said the president.
*Article provided by Cheong Wa Dae
