Source: Mehr News Agency (photos by Ahmad Motalaei)

South Korean official regards Iran as a neighboring country

South Korean Vice Culture Minister Jae-min Shin is convinced that the cultural relationship with Iran has made the two states like two neighboring countries despite the considerable distance separating one from the other.

Participating in Saturday's "Korea, Sparkling Night 2009 in Iran" which was a fundraising event for charity, he said that Iran not only enjoys huge oil resources, but possesses an ancient history which created the great civilization of Persia.

He called Tehran a beautiful city with a combination of the modern and the historical, and said, "Iran has been a bridge between east and west, playing a major role in enhancing its civilization."

A South Korean ensemble performs during the Korea, Sparkling Night in Iran, a series of programs which were held at Tehran's Dasht-e Behesht Complex on May 2, 2009 to raise funds for Iranian children suffering from cancer.

Jae-min Shin pointed to a Tehran street named "Seoul" and said that there is also one street in Seoul named Tehran (Teheranno) which is home to internet-related companies.

"We are now facing a decline in the world economy and we need to develop our cultural and tourism ties," he said, expressing hope that these sort of events would help boost bilateral relations.

South Korean Ambassador to Tehran Kim Young-mok, also present at the ceremony, said that both countries enjoy unique and glorious cultures, adding, "This ceremony is not arranged to introduce tourists to the culture of South Korea but rather to help raise funds for children with cancer."

South Korea held its first cultural night in Tehran on May 2 at the Dasht-e Behesht complex to raise money for the benefit of children suffering from cancer at Tehran's Mahak Charity Society and for the Iran Social Welfare Organization.

Deputy Director of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization Hamid Baqaii, also present at the program, regarded the event as a great achievement in Iran-Korea cultural relations.

He said that Iran and Korea have begun a new series of political, economical, and cultural relations and they also need to enhance their relations on tourism.

"Korean Night in Iran" compromised exhibitions of traditional Korean costumes and tourist attractions. Traditional cuisines were also offered at the program with several famous Korean chefs who invited to prepare the cuisine. There was also a live Korean music performance. An Iranian band also performed traditional Iranian music at the ceremony.

... Payvand News - 05/05/09 ... --

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