With similar traditional cultures, two countries look forward to a new chapter in bilateral ties


Since being appointed as the South Korean Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I’ve come to realize that many Saudis are still very fond of Korea and its people.

Yet in their minds, the images of Korean laborers working in Saudi construction sites during the ‘70s and ‘80s are embedded very firmly ― and thus, it was quite sad that even though they use Korean-made cars, televisions and cellphones, and know of our economic advances, they haven’t fully embraced its full meaning.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has not been an exception to the Korean wave that has hit the Middle East recently, and naturally young people here have started to show a keen interest in the Korean culture as well as the Korean language itself.

The year 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and the Kingdom. Bearing in mind the social occurrences mentioned above, it is high time to review the past 50 years of diplomacy between the two nations, and ponder how we can better improve our exchanges for the coming 50 years.

Korea and Saudi Arabia’s exchanges began to increase during the 1970s, when Korean companies and workers began working at construction sites in Saudi Arabia.

Although the relationship between the two nations has a much shorter history than Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Western nations or Japan, Korea and Saudi Arabia’s exchanges developed very rapidly not just because the two had common economic interests, but also because they had very similar traditional cultures.

Saudis like to wear quality white clothing, just as our ancestors did. In Islam, one of the most important values of society is the performance of filial duties, and respect for the elderly, just as in our society. And until recently, Koreans too were very conservative when it came to the equality of gender and thus, men and women went to different schools upon reaching middle school while women used to wear “ssugae chima” that covered most of the head and face, similar to the Hijab of Saudi Arabia. Just like in Arab societies, marriages were mostly arranged by families.

And now, Korea has been given the chance to participate in the biggest festival in the Middle-East ― the Janadriah Culture Festival, which starts Wednesday.

The Janadriah Festival started in 1985 when King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia sought to preserve and develop the diverse regional cultures of Saudi Arabia in harmony with the teachings of Islam.

He began an annual cultural festival in Janadriah, a region just outside of the Riyadh, the Kingdom’s capital. Until 2007 the festival was just for the cultures of Saudi Arabia, but since 2008 the Kingdom began inviting one foreign nation as a guest of honor to participate in each festival, in hopes of furthering the festival’s outreach.

This year, to mark the 50th anniversary of Korean-Saudi diplomatic establishment, the Korean government suggested that Korea participate in the festival, and the Saudi government welcomed it with joy.

The Korean Pavilion at the Janadriah festival will introduce the Saudi people to the history of 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations, as well as Korea’s nature, history, culture, traditions, education, arts, sports and industries ― all with the help of state-of-the-art technology.

At the outdoor theatre, we will show our traditional folk music, and put on modern arts performances using robots. Additionally, a seminar will be held to discuss ways our two nations can develop our exchanges.

Participating in this culture is an important step toward the improvement of our two nations’ relationship. This importance has been further highlighted by the fact that the President Lee Myung-bak plans to participate in the opening ceremony with Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah.

I have high hopes that this festival will help the people of Saudi Arabia and its future generations to become more familiar with the cultures of Korea, and experience the phenomenal economic, social development of Korea during the past 50 years.

I also hope that the exchanges between the two nations, especially between young people, will increase. I long to see more Saudi students in the streets of Korea, as well as on Korean university campuses.

Through exchanges during the past 50 years, Korea and Saudi Arabia have formed a strong, steady relationship.

With the Janadriah Festival as the first step, the two nations must now walk towards a more diverse relationship ― one that will include exchanges in various areas, such as national security, culture, education, sports and arts ― so that our future generations will benefit from another 50 years of friendship between the two nations.

By Kim Jong-yong

Kim Jong-yong is South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He has previously served as energy ambassador and ambassador to Oman, executive director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency and at diplomatic missions in the U.K. and across the Middle East. ― Ed.