An Authentic Korean Experience
Ambassador Chull-joo Park pictured with the Taewondo team from Noble Palms Primary School
7 March 2022
Ambassador Chull-joo Park of the Republic of Korea to South Africa hosted Diplomatic Heads of Mission colleagues to experience and partake in Korean art and culture at the Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) in Waterkloof Pretoria. ‘K-Culture’, as the ambassador referred to it, is making its presence felt globally through film, K- Pop music, Squid Games, Korean food and the more traditional sport of Taekwondo.
Guests admiring the modern kitchen
The guests were given a tour of the state-of-the-art facility which can accommodate up to 100 people in its auditorium, host taekwondo, and Korean language lessons and K-pop in its studio as well as cooking classes in its 12 station kitchen. It was the kitchen that caused much excitement amongst those present at the prospect of what delectables could be conjured up in it.
The young Taekwondo team from Noble Palms Primary School artfully showcased their talents. Ambassador Park demonstrated a few of his Taekwondo moves to the young athletes. Guests participated in the traditional Korean game Jegichagi, but few were able to successfully keep the jegi in the air for more than a few seconds. More success was had with Tjakji-chigi, where paired guests were able to flip the other’s board.
General Manager at the KCC Meeyoun Jee is excited about the activities of the cultural centre and the value and benefit it can add to cross cultural relations. She, together with the Diplomatic Society, hosted several cultural attaches for an ideas sharing session.
This has led to several possibilities and opportunities, including the hosting of a Film and Food festival.
The Cultural Centre has already begun offering Korean cooking classes, Korean language classes with Taekwondo martial arts lessons soon to follow.
Cross cultural interactions are vital in building a cohesive global society. The creative industries are at the forefront of innovation, and art and culture at the heart of travel and tourism. People to people exchanges and face to face meetings help create a greater connection and a deeper awareness of the diverse splendour of our planet.