Korean Cultural Center directors and public relations officials on March 4 take a group photo at their annual gathering this year at KOCIS Center in Seoul's Jung-gu District.

By Charles Audouin
Photos = Lee Jun Young

Directors of Korean Cultural Centers (KCC) and cultural promotion officials have started their annual gathering to discuss spreading Korean culture worldwide.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism from March 4-7 is hosting this year's meeting at KOCIS Center in Seoul's Jung-gu District and the National Library of Korea in Sejong. Thirty-five KCC directors and seven cultural promotion officials from around the world are attending.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon on March 4 chaired a joint workshop and discussion for participants to share their experiences of operating KCCs and raising Korea's cultural standing on the global stage.

Kim Myeongjin, director of the KCC in the Philippines, on March 4 explains his center's main events last year at KOCIS Center in Seoul's Jung-gu District.

The KCC in the Philippines that day was named the most outstanding last year.

This branch focused on cooperation to mark the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations with the Philippines. Programs included an interactive exhibition in collaboration with the National Museum of Korea, webtoon exhibition with the Korea Creative Content Agency and a K-drama soundtrack performance by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Throughout last year, the KCC also hosted events like the Korean Film Festival, Philippine-Korea Culture Exchange Festival, Korean beauty-related programs and Korea Festival, which promotes Korean culture in Manila and Cebu.

Kim Myeongjin, director of the KCC in the Philippines, said, "We held many cultural festivals but a promotional event in October (last year) with Philippine reporters to mark the president's state visit was featured on the front pages of seven Philippine dailies."

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon on March 4 speaks at the annual gathering of KCC directors and cultural promotion officials at KOCIS Center in Seoul's Jung-gu District.

"Please actively promote Korean culture on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit slated in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, from October to November," Minister Yu said. "We will support KCCs to faithfully play their roles as hubs connecting the world with Hallyu (Korean Wave)."

At the four-day gathering, the KCC directors and cultural promotion officials attending will discuss cooperation in spreading Hallyu with 25 related organizations such as the Korea Tourism Organization and King Sejong Institute Foundation.

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