Invited by the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE), the press from Saudi Arabia and Iraq visited sites of Korean traditional culture and cultural industry from March 2 to March 10, 2010. The group of journalists interviewed related members of the G20 Summit organization committee, Samsung C&T Corporation, Korean Contents Agency, Korea Muslim Federation, Institute of International Education of Kyung Hee University, Jeonju Hanok Village and the National Museum of Korea and expanded their knowledge of the culture and cultural industry of Korea.

“I got a direct experience of the development of Korea by interviewing the organization committee of the G20 Summit and talking about Korea with the Saudi students studying at the Institute of International Education of KyungHee University,” said Bassim Alfed from the Saudi Arabia public broadcasting station, KSA2.  Mustafa Al-Noman, the production director of Iraq’s Alsumaria TV showed his deep interest in Korean traditional culture and said, “Making hanji craftwork and trying the Korean food at the Jeonju Hanok Village were the most memorable parts of the trip.”

Since 2005, KOFICE has been inviting foreign opinion leaders to Korea to spread a better understanding of Korean culture and to promote cultural exchange between countries. The consistent exchange with influential press and media from around the world not only encourages mutual understanding and interactions but also enhances and publicizes the national image.