Journalist
Kim Joo-heon, Im Yoon-seo
jhkim123@ajunews.com
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INTERVIEW: Quebec envoy seeks to deepen ties with South Korea through cultural collaboration SEOUL, February 28 (AJP) - As South Korea continues to expand its economic and cultural exchanges with Quebec, the French-speaking province in eastern Canada is also establishing a more independent presence here across various fields. Separate from the Canadian Embassy, it seeks to establish direct relations with Seoul to strengthen its presence and foster deeper collaboration. In an interview with AJP earlier this week, Damien Pereira, the chief representative of the Quebec government office in Seoul, emphasized the unique cultural bond between the two and the growing opportunities for mutual cooperation. "Korea and Quebec have experienced cultural attacks in the past, which have strengthened the bond between our people," Pereira said. "In both our histories, dominant cultures have tried to suppress and replicate our language, culture, and history. However, this has only brought our people closer together." The envoy said that the minority Quebecers, surrounded by a vast number of English speakers, have worked to preserve their language and culture, and this struggle has ultimately strengthened their unity, making cultural preservation a key part of Quebec's identity and society. Quebec, which operates diplomatic missions separate from the Canadian federal government, has been steadily expanding its footprint in South Korea. The province is already a dominant force in Canada-Korea cultural exchanges, with nearly two-thirds of all Canadian cultural engagements in South Korea originating from Quebec. "You see many programmers and artistic directors from South Korea visiting Quebec to bring shows and performances to Korea." Performing arts and digital media have been central to this partnership, and the upcoming International Symposium on Electronic Arts (ISEA) in Seoul is expected to feature 30 Quebecers, including artists. During the interview, he recalled that the 2016 hit South Korean soap "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God" was filmed in Quebec, with its stunning landscapes providing a magical backdrop to the romantic drama. He emphasized that attracting a Korean drama production was significant, as the creators saw Quebec as the perfect setting. This became a remarkable opportunity to introduce Quebec to South Korean audiences. Economic collaboration is also on the rise, particularly in the battery industry. "South Korean firms such as EcoPro and POSCO Future M have been ramping up investments in Quebec, drawn by the province's rich deposits of critical minerals essential for battery production," Pereira said. Quebec, in turn, is not just exporting raw materials but developing local processing facilities to move further up the value chain. "We see South Korean companies establishing a strong foothold in Quebec as a gateway to the North American market," Pereira said. "Our economic structures are complementary, making this an ideal partnership." Beyond batteries, Quebec's cooperation with South Korea spans other multiple sectors including aerospace, IT, and agriculture. CAE, a Quebec-based flight simulator manufacturer, operates a major training center near Gimpo International Airport in western Seoul. The cultural connection remains a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. Quebec artists are regular participants in the annal Jarasum International Jazz Festival in Gapyeong on the outskirts of Seoul, and Quebecois cuisine and traditions have found a niche among South Korean audiences. Pereira expressed optimism about expanding these exchanges, emphasizing Quebec's commitment to fostering deeper engagement in education, arts, and technology. As Quebec positions itself as a key economic and cultural partner to South Korea, the province's proactive approach signals a broader ambition: to solidify its influence in global markets while expanding its presence here. "Our relationship with South Korea is built on mutual respect and shared values," Pereira said. "As global challenges evolve, our collaboration will only become more critical." 2025-02-28 08:00:59 -
K-pop thrives in Asia and Europe, while Korean cuisine gains traction in North America: Report SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - K-pop remains the most widely covered Korean cultural export across the world, with Korean cuisine also garnering increasing attention, a recent analysis reveals. According to a report released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and its affiliated Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange last week, K-pop attracted the highest media coverage, with 35.4 percent in Asia, 25.1 percent in Europe, and 34.9 percent in Central and South America. In Asia, media coverage mostly highlighted K-pop bands such as BTS and BLACKPINK, while European news outlets extensively covered K-pop artists’ chart performances. In Central and South America, news coverage focused on their visits and world tour schedules. In North America, Korean cuisine led media coverage at 26.7 percent, slightly surpassing K-pop news at 23.5 percent. The surge in interest was particularly remarkable in the U.S. and Canada, where kimchi or fermented cabbage and the popularity of spicy instant noodles drove significant searches and social media engagement. A similar trend was observed in Africa and Oceania, where Korean cuisine made up 38 percent and 30 percent of Korean Wave-related coverage, surpassing K-pop (22.6 percent and 26.7 percent). News coverage in these regions often featured the grand opening of Korean restaurants. By country, India led with the highest number of Korean Wave-related news coverage (905), followed by the U.S. (769), Thailand (461), Türkiye (301), and the Philippines (273). While K-pop dominated news coverage in India (41.0 percent), Thailand (37.5 percent), and the Philippines (32.6 percent), Korean cuisine took the top spot in the U.S. (27.0 percent), and Korean dramas led in Türkiye (29.6 percent). The report also highlighted "Korea House," which served as a venue during the 2024 Paris Olympics to promote Korean culture abroad. BTS member Jin's participation in the Olympic torch relay, which brought together fans with light sticks, was widely covered by foreign media and gained traction on social media. The findings were based on an analysis of around 680,000 news articles and social media posts from over 30 countries between October 2023 and September 2024. 2025-02-25 16:14:15 -
Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez to perform in Seoul next month SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Cuban jazz pianist Alfredo Rodríguez will visit Seoul next month for a concert celebrating the first anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba. According to the concert's organizers, he will take the stage on March 21 at Seongsu Art Hall in Seoul's trendy district frequented by young people and fashion-savvy individuals. Rodríguez is renowned for his innovative approach to blending traditional Cuban sounds with modern influences. He gained international recognition after legendary composer Quincy Jones invited him to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 2006. The collaboration eventually led Rodriguez to move to the U.S., where he later became a naturalized citizen. The pianist last performed here in 2013 as a special guest at Quincy Jones' concert and returned the following year for a solo performance. His achievements include composing the official theme song for the Expo 2010 Shanghai China and earning a Grammy nomination in 2014 for his arrangement of the Cuban folk classic Guantanamera. The concert will be held in a trio format, with Rodríguez joined by drummer Michael Olivera and bassist Swaeli Mbappé. He recently appeared on "Tiny Desk," a popular concert series on NPR. 2025-02-25 14:23:23 -
Rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts debuts with 'The Chase' SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - Rookie girl group Hearts2Hearts made their debut on Monday with their single "The Chase." The eight-member band became SM Entertainment's first girl group in nearly five years, following the debut of aespa in 2020. Hearts2Hearts is a multinational girl group composed of six South Koreans, one member with dual nationality from South Korea and Canada, and another from Indonesia. The members’ ages range from 14 to 18 years old. During their debut showcase in Seoul's Gwangjin district, the members expressed their excitement. "We are so happy and excited about our debut, and it’s even more special and an honor for the eight of us to debut as Hearts2Hearts on SM's 30th anniversary." SM described Hearts2Hearts as possessing a broad appeal and significant untapped potential, highlighting that the group will unveil their unique style, refined through the company’s decades of experience in developing K-pop talent. 2025-02-24 17:44:21 -
South Korea discusses defense industry collaboration with UAE, Egypt SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - South Korea discussed ways to strengthen defense ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on Monday. According to the South Korean arms procurement agency, DAPA chief Seok Jong-geon visited the UAE and Egypt from Feb. 17 to 21 to promote defense exports. During his visit to Abu Dhabi, Seok attended IDEX, the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East, where he met with senior defense officials from various countries. The week-long event showcased 1,350 defense companies from 65 nations and attracted over 130,000 defense officials. He held discussions with key UAE defense acquisition figures, including Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei and Chief of Staff Issa Al Mazrouei, regarding the participation of Korean defense companies in the UAE's arms procurement projects. Seok also met with representatives from Saudi Arabia attending IDEX, signing a memorandum of understanding on mutual acceptance of government quality assurance for military supplies and services. This agreement allows South Korea's Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) to guarantee the quality of Korean military products exported to Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Saudi government. In Egypt, Seok met with officials from Korean defense companies, including Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Aerospace, to discuss export plans for the TAipers anti-tank missile and the FA-50 fighter jet. During a meeting with Egypt's Air Force commander Mahmoud Fouad Abdel-Gawad, Seok assured that comprehensive support, including follow-up logistics, would be provided if Egypt selects the FA-50. 2025-02-24 15:03:09 -
Seoul to provide Korean language programs for students with non-native parents SEOUL, February 24 (AJP) - In a bid to support students struggling with the Korean language due to their parents' immigrant background, Seoul will offer Korean language programs at universities starting in March. The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced Sunday that the language courses will serve as alternative education programs, offering accredited academic credits, with attendance and curriculum reflected in the students’ home schools. Certified teachers with Korean language teaching qualifications will instruct middle and high school students across Seoul. Classes will be small, with no more than 15 students per group, allowing for personalized learning. The programs will also leverage various resources available within two universities—Sookmyung Women's University and Dongyang Mirae University. Over the past decade, the number of students with at least one immigrant parent has increased by nearly 2.7 times, with the number of foreign students rising by 8.6 times, according to the municipal education office. While the total student population in Seoul decreased by 11.52 percent from 2019 to 2024, the number of students from immigrant families grew by 18.7 percent. The growth rate of students with at least one immigrant parent in middle and high schools, at 173.7 percent, was significantly higher than that of elementary students, at 85.74 percent. "We will continually monitor and strive to provide strong support to both students with at least one immigrant parent and school communities in areas with high concentrations of these students," said Seoul's education superintendent Jeong Geun-sik. 2025-02-24 10:58:44