Korea’s Culture Ministry recently published two English-language books, one about Korean sports and the other about local fashion, as the newest additions to its “K-series,” a book series featuring Korean culture.

“K-Fashion: Wearing a New Future” and “K-Sports: A New Breed of Rising Champions” are published by Korea Culture and Information Service, an affiliate of the Culture Ministry.

Among the two, “K-Fashion” is written by Kim Hong-ki, who works as a fashion curator and a journalist. He has spent many years reporting on Korea’s fashion industry and designers.

“In a 2009 study by Korea’s Presidential Council on Nation Branding, Ministry of Knowledge Economy, and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, fashion ranked seventh among the leading industries determining the country’s image,” Kim writes in the book.

“Fashion has become one of the major yardsticks for judging a country’s competitiveness in manufacturing, consumption, and trend-setting. In that sense, Korean fashion has a long way to go. But as Korean cultural exports, most notably K-pop, have triggered greater interest in Korean culture in general, its fashion has been drawing more attention as well.”

The book features some of the most prominent designers in the country, including Lie Sang-bong, and Lee Young-hee, who is noted for her hanbok works.

Readers are also offered an overview of Korea’s popular fashion districts, such as the hip and vibrant Hongdae, the tourist-friendly Myeong-dong and the expensive, brand-name store-filled Cheongdam-dong in southern Seoul.

It also dedicates two pages to introducing Korea’s fashion-themed museums, including the Simone Handbag Museum, The Korean Museum of Embroidery, and the Korea museum of Modern Costume.

Meanwhile, “K-Sports” features Korea’s star athletes, including the 2010 Olympic champion figure skater Kim Yu-na, and 1992 Olympics champion marathoner Hwang Young-jo. It also dedicates many pages to introducing Korea’s traditional sports and the country’s major venues and facilities.

The book is written by Won Hee-bok, who has been working as a reporter for Korea’s daily newspaper the Kyunghyang Shinmun since 1987.

“Considering the slow start Korea had in 1945 when it had to go hat in hand to the public just to raise enough money to send its athletes to the Olympics, Korean sports have come a remarkable way in a relatively short amount of time,” Won writes.

“Today, Korea has become an economic power that is capable of hosting every major sporting event, including the summer and winter Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.”

KOCIS said the newly published books will be distributed to some 179 overseas organizations that specialize in Korean studies, as well as Korean embassies in foreign countries.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)