South Korea To Open A Cultural Center In Abu Dhabi This Year To Mark Growing Relations and Cultural Exchanges With United Arab Emirates
South Korea and United Arab Emirates show the strengthening of their ties by announcing the inauguration of the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Abu Dhabi by the end of this year. This is a realization of the two nations' vision to expand their cooperation in the education and cultural sectors.
Speaking at the South Korean National Day celebrations held at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi on Monday, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the U.A.E Kwon Hae Ryong said that the construction of the KCC is a result of the memorandum of understanding signed by both countries in March 2015.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of U.A.E. and South Korea's diplomatic ties.
"An MoU was signed between the two countries during our president's visit to the UAE in March on establishing a Korean Cultural Centre, which is now set to open in December," the South Korean envoy told Gulf News.
The Korean Cultural Centre will be located in TwoFour54 in Abu Dhabi, the capital's media and entertainment zone. At the centre, people can enroll in a number of courses that will promote Korean culture, cuisine, language and others.
Aside from this expansion, Kwon reported South Korea and the U.A.E.'s relationship has reached its highest, with the trade volume peaking at $23 billion last year.
The number of Korean residents in the U.A.E. has also tripled in the past five years. There are currently around 14,000 Koreans living in the U.A.E., a big leap from the recorded number of 5,000 Koreans that resided in the country.
In March 2015, South Korean President Park Geun Hye visited the U.A.E to improve bilateral relations and mutual partnership with the country. Business Korea reported on March 6, Park and Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan six memoranda of understanding concerning cultural exchange, mutual administrative assistance in customs matters, removal of trade barriers, agriculture, production of halal food and nuclear energy.