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네이버 공유 카카오 공유 트위터 공유 페이스북 공유

Expanding the Reach of the Korea Foundation’s Global Presence

Standing on a windswept rocky outcrop of Cape Point, close to where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic Ocean, I pondered about the fact that Africa, a vast continent with an abundance of natural resources and wildlife wonders, is still little known to most Koreans. I seem to think that for many Koreans their recognition of the African continent is based on images of the “Out of Africa” film. But under the Lee Myungbak administration, the African continent has emerged as an exciting new focus of Korea’s natural resource diplomacy. While preparing to accompany the Foundation president on a business trip to Africa, I realized that the Korea Foundation had sponsored the visit to Korea of a handful of Korea-related specialists and scholars from South Africa and Kenya. And there also have been cultural performances in Africa by Korean troupes dispatched by the Foundation. But that was basically the extent of our involvement with the region of southern Africa. Accordingly, it was significant for President Yim Sung-joon to be the first president of the Foundation to visit southern Africa. Our visit included stops at South Africa’s Pretoria University and Kenya’s University of Nairobi, where we planned to introduce Korea and discuss efforts for the promotion of Korea Studies and academic exchange, based on cooperative relations.



Cooperation with South Africa
Our first destination was the University of Pretoria, which was established in the capital city in 1908. It is one of the most prominent universities in the Republic of South Africa. After a productive discussion with the vice chancellor and faculty members of the university, President Yim delivered a lecture to professors and graduate students, in the form of a Global Speakers Forum. He expressed to the audience his belief that educating students, so that they develop an appreciation of cultural diversity, was one of the most fundamental and effective ways to improve mutual understanding between countries and peoples. The Korea Foundation is thus eager to promote interaction and cooperation with South Africa’s educational institutions, like the University of Pretoria.
After the lecture presentation, the audience asked in-depth questions about Korea and the Foundation’s various activities, which reflected a high level of interest in Korea among the local residents. In fact, it was readily apparent to me that South Africa and Korea would both stand to benefit greatly from academic and cultural exchange. Soon enough, it was time for us to depart for the airport for a four-hour flight from Johannesburg to Nairobi, Kenya.



Enthusiasm for Korea in Kenya
In spite of my anxiety and uncertainty beforehand, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm hospitality extended to us by our Kenyan hosts. Our first stop in Kenya was at the Standard Media Group, which is the largest media firm in Kenya. The staff was excited by the first visit of the president of the Korea Foundation to Kenya and this noteworthy event was aired on the TV news as well as being reported in the daily newspapers. At the lecture hall of the University of Nairobi, the lack of air conditioning and sweltering heat did not deter some 150 students and faculty members from attending the Foundation’s presentation. Established in 1956, the University of Nairobi is the largest university in Kenya. Indeed, it was gratifying to see the audience’s keen interest and enthusiasm for the president’s lecture on Korea.
During his presentation, President Yim cited a notable incident related to U.S. senator Barack Obama, who had visited the University of Nairobi prior to his election as U.S. president. During his visit, Barack Obama gave a lecture, in which he made a reference to Korea. He mentioned that when Kenya gained its independence in 1964, it was a better-known country to the world than Korea, and that both countries had a similar level of per capita income. But today, some 40 years later, Korea’s per capita income is 40 times greater than that of Kenya. It is likely that the Kenyan audience was well aware of Korea’s successful economic development, which was reflected in their receptiveness to the Korea Foundation. Africa and Korea undoubtedly have much to gain and learn from each other. I certainly hope that Korea’s relations with this region can continue to develop, and I look forward to additional opportunities to promote cooperative efforts. I firmly believe that President Yim’s visit to these countries in Africa has laid the groundwork for the Korea Foundation and relevant institutions in Africa to jointly undertake a variety of academic and cultural exchange activities. Moreover, such collaborative endeavors will prove to be highly beneficial for both sides.

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