Marking 20 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and Laos, Korea-Laos Friendship Association hosted a seminar Friday in Seoul to introduce Korean culture to Lao students studying here as part of efforts to bolster bilateral ties and mutual understanding.
Sponsored by Korea Foundation, the two-hour seminar was held at Seoul Mapo Garden Hotel, central Seoul, from 4 p.m., with a total of 220 people in attendance.
Nearly 100 Lao students, four special lecturers and officials from Lao Embassy in Seoul, ASEAN-KOREA Center, KF and other relevant organizations participated in the event.
The seminar kicked off with a special lecture by ASEAN-KOREA Center secretary-general Kim Young-sun on promoting bilateral links though cultural exchanges, followed by the presentation on history of bilateral diplomatic relations and their prospects by Phongsavath Boupha from Lao Presidential Office.
Cho Won-kwon, an honorary ambassador to Laos, made a speech about Lao students’ role in boosting the countries’ relations by using the human networks they built in Korea when they return home after studying here.
As of October, 119 Lao students, who are mostly government officials from Lao central and regional government, are studying at Korean universities, according to KLFA.
Founded in 2004 and endorsed by Foreign Ministries from both countries, the non-profit organization KLFA has paved the way for Laos and South Korea to develop bilateral relations through cultural, academic and business exchanges for mutual benefits.
Their work includes holding seminars to boost mutual understanding and improving living conditions for Lao people residing in remote, less-developed areas by building schools and providing them with medical support, stationery, clothes and scholarships, among others.
By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)
