By Xu Aiying
Photos = Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo Gyoon on Sept. 13 hailed Korean culture at the Group of 20 Culture Ministers' Meeting, saying its global popularity is due "not only because of the originality of Hallyu (Korean Wave) cultural artists, spirit of challenge and digital capacity, but also their messages advocating hope, human rights, peace, environmental protection and the future."
In his keynote speech at the event held at Plataran Heritage Borobudur Hotel in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, he added, "One of the goals of a culturally appealing country pursued by the Republic of Korea Government is this meeting's theme: 'Culture for Sustainable Living.'"
"The Korean government values fair access to culture based on the 'universal value of freedom.'"
Minister Park also requested support from each country for Busan's bid to host the 2030 World Expo and Korea's campaign to host next year's Asian Cup of soccer.
"The 2030 Expo will be a stage for presenting the vision of and aspiration for a 'better future and culture of humanity,'" he said. "Busan is the optimal venue, as it has plenty of experience in hosting international events such as the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Summit."
Under the theme "Culture for Sustainable Living," the meeting attracted the top culture officials from G20 member countries such as the U.S., Japan and the U.K and four invited states: Spain, the Netherlands, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
Culture ministers at the meeting agreed to respond to global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, raise recognition of the socioeconomic role of culture and protect cultural heritage through boosting cultural exchange and cooperation among member countries in adopting the 18 Borobudur tasks.
They adopted a chair's summary instead of a joint statement, however, due to differences of opinion on whether the statement should condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier on Sept. 12, Minister Park held a bilateral summit with Indonesian Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Nadiem Makarim on inscription of UNESCO cultural heritage, official development assistance for the cultural content sector, and expansion of bilateral cultural cooperation such as exchanges in personnel and tourism.
The day before, Minister Park held a meeting on Korean culture at the Indonesia Business Center of the Korea Creative Content Agency, listening to opinions on the sustainable spread of Hallyu in the Southeast Asian country.
