Jeonbuk Province Shines at Public Diplomacy Event in Kazakhstan

Signing of Letter of Intent for May Exchange... First Cultural Exchange with Almaty Province

Visit to Kyrgyzstan until 22nd... Cultural Support Project

Jeonbuk Province (Governor Kim Kwan-young) expanded its diplomatic reach to Central Asia by holding its first cultural exchange in Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, where it signed a letter of intent for exchange last month.

The province announced on the 20th that it dispatched a delegation led by Ambassador for International Relations Ryu Chang-su to hold a public diplomacy event over two days, from the 17th to the 18th, introducing Jeonbuk culture to the Koryoin (ethnic Koreans) and local residents in Kazakhstan. The delegation will visit Kyrgyzstan until the 22nd to operate traditional cultural support projects for Koryoin and Asian regions.

The delegation held meetings with key figures including Shin Yuri, president of the Kazakhstan Koryoin Association, and descendants of independence activists such as Park Tatiana, great-granddaughter of Choi Jae-hyung, as well as descendants of militia leader Min Geung-ho and Lee Dong-hwi, discussing exchanges between the Koryoin community and Jeonbuk Province.

Traditional performances were held twice on the 17th and 18th at the Almaty City Koryo Theater and the Almaty Region House of Culture. Additionally, pre-registered participants from Koryoin organizations, individuals, and Korean language departments of Kazakhstani universities attended traveling traditional culture classes including folk songs and pansori lectures, hanji paper crafts, and minhwa folk painting, promoting Jeonbuk culture.

Traditional performances held on the 17th and 18th at the Goryeo Theater in Almaty City and the Almaty Regional House of Culture by Jeonbuk Province.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Province]

Especially meaningful was the first public diplomacy performance prepared under the title "Majung," held at the Koryo Theater, known as the last workplace of General Hong Beom-do. The Koryo Theater was founded in 1932 in the Russian Far East. It is a historical site of the Korean people who settled in Almaty City after forced relocation policies through Ust-Kamenogorsk and Kyzylorda Region in Kazakhstan.

The National Academy Koryo Theater, with a history of 91 years, featured about 90 members performing in Korean. This performance was realized at the request of Jeonbuk Province for pansori and traditional Korean music exchanges.

Over 70 students attended the Koryo Theater’s folk song classes, and more than 150 people watched the main performance. The final group singing of Arirang moved both performers and audience deeply.

On the 18th, despite being a holiday, about 200 people including Almaty Region Tourism Director Aiba Talgatovich, regional government officials, Koryoin residents, and locals attended the performance at the Konaev House of Culture, showing great interest in Jeonbuk’s culture.

On the morning of the 19th, a meeting was held at the Almaty regional government office with Governor Marat Iloshizovich. Governor Marat expressed high expectations for exchanges with Jeonbuk Province, saying, "It was a precious time to experience the essence of K-Culture, recognized worldwide. Starting today, we will promote practical exchanges in agriculture, culture, tourism, and more between the two regions."

In response, Ambassador Ryu Chang-su of Jeonbuk Province said, "I am pleased to introduce Jeonbuk’s culture to the residents of Almaty," adding, "Let us build a relationship that directly benefits local residents through exchanges in agriculture, tourism, education, and beyond."

At this meeting, Ambassador Ryu proposed exchanges between companies to promote agricultural and economic trade exchanges between the two regions, and invited Almaty Region companies to participate in the International Fermentation Expo to be held this October. Governor Marat promised positive consideration.

The province plans to focus on sectoral exchanges with Kazakhstan beyond the letter of intent signed with Almaty Region this year, aiming to achieve various outcomes.

Prior to this, on the 15th, Shin Andrey, CEO of Shinrain Group, Kazakhstan’s largest ice cream manufacturing and distribution company, met with Governor Kim Kwan-young. He promised support for economic cooperation with Jeonbuk Province and hosting international events such as the Korean Business Association Conference.

Additionally, in November, in cooperation with the Council of Provincial Governors, the Jeonbuk-Kazakhstan Economic Forum will be held, and in December, a cultural forum and a Kazakhstan contemporary art exhibition are being prepared in collaboration with Jeonbuk Province, the provincial art museum, the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Korea, and the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum.

Meanwhile, Jeonbuk Province and Almaty Region signed a letter of intent on May 4 to prioritize exchanges in agriculture, culture, and tourism. Both regions agreed to practical cooperation in various fields such as culture, agriculture, and tourism. The mutual development between Konaev, which is accelerating new city development, and Saemangeum is also highly anticipated.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.