한국문화 글로벌 확산 박차,... 소프트파워 증진
K-Pop and K-dramas have played a pivotal role in spreading Korean culture across the world since the 1990s.
However, studies have found that Seoul's soft-power is waning as of late.
To tackle the problem, the country's cultural experts gathered to formulate plans to help spread Hallyu to new regions.
Won Jung-hwan has the highlights from that meeting.
Since the 1990s, the Korean Wave has spread Korean culture around the world, improving the country's global image.
But according to recent research by Southern California University,... South Korea's soft power was ranked 21st out of 30 countries last year, raising concerns that Korean culture is losing its competitiveness.
So to tackle the issue… the Korean Culture and Information Service is injecting nearly 10 million U.S. dollars from 2018 to 2022 to further promote Korea's brand around the world. It presented its project to experts and government organizations on Monday.
"Working together with cultural institutions that are located overseas,… our major projects will set up tailored advancement strategies for each region by analyzing people's reactions to Korean culture across more than 10 countries."
The meeting highlighted a lack of systematic support from the government,… with cultural exchanges concentrated in East and Southeast Asia, largely ignoring other regions.
So as part of a broader plan to expand the reach of the Korean wave,… the Korean Culture and Information Service is laying the groundwork for increased cultural exchanges by creating Korean cultural centers in other regions such as Russia.
The government says it will build a "house of Korean culture and arts" in Moscow for ethnic Korean residents to introduce Korean culture to Russians during the 2018 World Cup.
"Cultural events such as K-pop concerts, art performances, and exhibitions are planned during the upcoming international mega sporting event in Russia."
The ministry of culture hopes that the five-year plan to further spread Korean culture around the globe will help boost the country's soft power competitiveness.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News.
