한국국제교류재단

Personnel exchanges between Korea and Japan were extremely limited before the two countries normalized their diplomatic relations in 1965. The number of Korean and Japanese travelers between the two countries stood at some 10,000 annually then, but today, that many people travel between the two countries on a daily basis. It is true, however, that there are still some difficulties between the two countries that stem from their political and historical problems. The key to solving these problems is dialogue and exchange. It is most important for the people of both countries to meet in person, share conversation and broaden their understanding of each other to further our friendly relationship.

This year is a very important year for the promotion of exchange and friendship between Korea and Japan. At a minister-level conference in October 1999, the governments of the two countries decided to designate 2002, the year in which the two nations would co-host the World Cup, as the "Year of Korea-Japan National Exchange." Since then, the two countries have widely promoted exchange programs in many areas, such as theatrical art, exhibitions, sports, youth activities, local government, and academics.

Our Foundation, keeping pace with the trend of flourishing relations between the two countries, has been constantly preparing and developing various projects to promote friendly relations with the people of Japan. In 2002, we are engaging in more meaningful and diverse cultural, personnel, and academic exchanges with related Korean and Japanese agencies and citizens.

Performances Held in Korea and Japan

In May, before the start of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Korea Foundation, in cooperation with the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and the Japan Foundation, hosted the "Concert of Korean & Japanese Court Music" in four cities in both nations. The performances in Tokyo and Osaka were a great success, drawing the interest of the government and press as well as music lovers.

The concerts performed in Seoul and Busan provided Korean music lovers with a rare opportunity to appreciate Japanese court music played by the Music Department of the Japanese Imperial Household Agency, who performed in Korea for the first time. The Korea Foundation and the Japan Foundation first began consultations in 1998, and after lengthy preparations and close cooperation between the governments of both countries and the organizations concerned, these efforts resulted in the concert of Korean & Japanese court music.

In addition, the Korea Foundation is supporting a variety of cultural exchange programs with Japan this year. In April, the opera "Chunhyang," written by Japanese composer Toruku Takaki, was staged at Kanagawa Hall in Yokohama, while the acclaimed Korean musical "King Uru" was a great success when it was performed in June at the International Exchange Center in Osaka.

Cultural and artistic figures from both countries have been actively engaged in exchange performances. During May and June, "Birds on the Board," a joint work by Korean and Japanese artists, was performed in the Korean cities of Seoul and Busan and the Japanese cities of Tokyo and Tsukuba. The Korean-Japanese joint children's play, "Encounter," was staged at 26 theaters in cities such as Fukuoka, Kyushu, Tokyo, and Hiroshima for one month in late May. Starting July 20, "Encounter" moved to Seoul and was staged for one month at the Convention Center of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

Surge in Academic and Personnel Exchanges

The Korea Foundation also continues to expand its financial assistance for Korean studies and Korean language programs of educational institutions and scholars in Japan. In order to support Korean language education in Japan, at the beginning of August the Foundation invited Korean language teachers from high schools around Japan who participated in a program to learn about Korean language teaching methods and Korean society and culture. In addition, financial support was made available for Waseda University's "Korean Language" and "Korean Culture and Literature" lectures, and for the Korean Studies Center at Kyushu University. The Foundation concluded a five-year support agreement with Kyushu University in 1999 so that the university could make use of its geographical advantage as the closest point to Korea and contribute more actively to the promotion of Korean studies in Japan.

The Foundation is also striving to lay a firm foundation for friendship between the two countries through increased personnel exchanges involving people from all walks of life. The Korea-Japan Forum, inaugurated in 1993, issued the "Jeju-do Declaration" at its third forum in 1995, proposing the joint hosting of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the establishment of a Korea-Japan joint historical research committee, and has contributed greatly to the development of future-oriented relations between the two countries for the past decade. The 10th Korea-Japan Forum, which is scheduled to be held in Japan in September, will cover topics such as "Korea-Japan Relations after the 2002 World Cup: Exploring Plans for a New Leap in Relations" and "Prospects for Korea-Japan Economic Interdependence."

In addition, the "Korea-Japan Social Studies Teacher Exchange Project" will be initiated in October, carried out jointly by the Korea Foundation and the Japan Foundation. Social studies and history teachers from middle and high schools in both countries will participate in mutual exchange study programs to enhance their understanding of each other's history and culture. This program will be carried out with the aim of helping to deepen and broaden Korea-Japan relations among the younger generations by helping teachers apply what they learn to school education. Also, Tokyo Gakugei University held the "Korea-Japan History Textbooks Symposium" in January with the support of the Foundation, and in November there are plans to invite a delegation of Japanese university students to Korea.

According to the "World Cup Korea-Japan Joint Public Opinion Poll," conducted by the Chosun Ilbo and the Mainichi Shinbun in early July, immediately following the World Cup, the number of Japanese who said they felt a sense of affinity with Korea increased from 38% in 1995 to 48% in 1997, 69% in January of this year, and 77% in July. The number of Koreans who felt a sense of affinity with Japan amounted to 26% in 1995, 29% in 1997, and 35% and 42%, respectively, in January and July of 2002. Although the number still did not reach 50%, a steady upward trend can be seen. Of course, simply being geographically close neighbors does not mean the citizens of both countries will feel a sense of affinity with each other. However, notwithstanding such grandiose slogans as "new 21st century partnership," and "co-existence and co-prosperity," at the very least isn't some effort necessary to better understand and respect each other in order to live harmoniously? Meeting and exchanging. That is where it begins.