A group of local Russians has launched an organization to introduce and support the Korean culture wave of hallyu, which has been earning widespread popularity in Russia.

The newly organized "K-culture supporters" have begun full-fledged activities after a launching ceremony at a Russian hotel on Tuesday (local time) in a bid to assist cultural exchanges between South Korea and Russia while supporting the spread of hallyu.

The 17-member organization includes figures representing the Russian culture, art and academic fields including Yuri Kolosov, chief of the international relations bureau of the Russian film makers association, and Anatoly Levin, chief conductor of the symphony orchestra of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory.

Other members also include bloggers publishing monthly K-pop magazines, university students and Russian attendees who learn Korean language and culture at the private cultural center here.

According to sources, the K-pop supporters will actively participate in exchange programs between the two countries in the fields of cinema, music, literature and Korean studies.

They will also positively support various kinds of cultural events to be held by the South Korean Embassy in Moscow.

As a first step, the supporters will open a free showing of Korean films on March 22 at a cinema house in Moscow while designating the third Wednesday of each month as a free showing day for Korean  movies.

The supporters will periodically hold open lectures on Korean culture and classical music concerts that musicians from the two countries will attend.

A Russian supporter said there are hundreds of thousands of Russians enjoying Korean pop culture, cinema and music, adding that K-culture supporters will play a pivotal role in heating the hallyu craze. (Yonhap)