French economist Guy Sorman, who also serves as a global advisor to the Lee Myung-bak administration, said Korea needs to promote its traditional culture as well as fine arts ― rather than K-pop and other forms of popular culture ― during a press conference promoting his latest book last week.

“In Europe, people consider Korea’s idol groups as pop artists, not necessarily as Korean artists,” the scholar told reporters on Sept. 14 in Seoul.

“I don’t think the current K-pop wave in Europe makes Europeans more aware of the Korean culture. Korea’s popular music industry thrived without the support of the Korean government, and I don’t think it’ll ever need it in the future. What the Korean government should invest in is its fine art and traditional culture, such as the beauty of the Gyeongbok Palace.”

His latest book, titled “Journal of an Optimist,” is a collection of Sorman’s diary entries since the year 2009. In the book, he writes about events and policies that took place in different countries in the world, including the sinking of South Korea’s Cheonan warship by the North, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan, and immigration policies in Canada.

Sorman, who has been critical of the “overextended” welfare state policies in the European Union, and their effect on the European economy, said Korea in fact needs to increase its welfare spending.

“France spends 50 percent of its GDP on welfare, while the U.S. spends 30 percent,” he told reporters.

“Meanwhile, Korea is only spending 7 percent of its GDP on its welfare programs. So Korea definitely has to increase its welfare spending. But it has to be done with much consideration and thought, because a significant number of the country’s population is getting older. And increasing its welfare spending can cause conflicts between the working generation and the retired.”

An open fan of Korean director Hong Sang-soo and his 2010 film “Hahaha,” said he’d like to watch Kim Ki-duk’s Venice-winning film “Pieta.”

Known for his friendship with Korea’s late president Kim Dae-jung, Sorman has been making frequent visits to Korea since the 1980s.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)