Column
South Korea: From a Distant Country to an Easily Approachable Culture
All I needed was five days for my world and my way of knowing the world to take a 180-degree turn. K-pop was the most familiar, and not just because I listened to the music but also due to the fact that this musical phenomenon is widely recognized by young people all over the world, and Guatemala is no exception. K-dramas became popular due to streaming platforms, so learning about the culture, traditions, and culinary traditions of a country I never imagined I would visit was a matter of just sitting down for a couple of hours in a span of several days and letting the series and dramas take me away. Doing so would really make me discover a country and its impressive richness.
Some years ago, all I knew of Korea was just a little bit about the 1950s war. Then came the phenomenon of PSY's Gangnam Style, a very peculiar and popular dance performed at 15th birthdays or graduation parties with clenched fists and folded arms exactly like the nine-meter high bronze monument in the Gangnam district (where I naturally had my must-have photo taken).
In fact, I visited South Korea to address South Korea's cooperation with Guatemala in the educational field. The experience was enlightening, because although eight Latin American countries were invited to take part in the same program, each country's participation was different and very enriching, identifying fields of action that could be developed in the Guatemalan educational sector and broadening the learning and cultural exchange of both countries. I felt very proud when countries like Mexico and Costa Rica openly mentioned that they were surprised by South Korea's cooperation with Guatemala in terms of educational technology, donation of computer equipment, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships from KOICA, introduction of Korean content in Communication and Language and Natural Sciences textbooks, and introductory learning of the Korean language and taekwondo in public schools and institutes in the metropolitan area. In fact, the Korean Spanish radio station KBS World gave me a 10-minute slot to talk about the relationship between the two countries and the achievements made so far.
But if I thought that was all, I was definitely wrong. There is a lot more to say about South Korea as proven by my Latin American colleagues with their wonderful speeches. Ecuador explained how the first printed book in history was included in Ecuadorian texts. The book is the Jikji, a book containing the teachings of the Buddha and venerable monks printed in 1377, almost a century before what was believed to be the first printed book, the 42-line Gutenberg Bible. Honduras discussed the inclusion of taekwondo to encourage the development of the sport's technical skills and discipline and to improve concentration in the classroom. Colombia referred to a study proposal on the relationship between popular music group BTS and Herman Hesse's Demian, BTS and Romantic painting and Nietzsche, and BTS and Jung's psychoanalysis. Mexico captivated with its high-quality Korean content magazines produced by UNAM students. I found it astonishing that South Korea can be studied in numerous ways and that a remote country can become an easily approachable culture.
Another way to enjoy and learn about South Korea was through its cultural heritage sites. Seoul's royal palaces are a must-see for any traveler wishing to dive into its ancient culture. I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace where I saw the Royal Guard ceremony and wore a traditional Korean costume. By wearing a hanbok, I traveled back in time and imagined what life was like during the Joseon dynasty. I also let myself be captivated by Changdeokgung Palace and its stunning secret garden. I experienced walking along the DMZ and standing on the ground that has, for 70 years, represented a zone of high tension, political impact, and separation of families but also hope for the reunification of the two Koreas. The food, the drinks, the doors and alleys...Everything about South Korea fascinated me.
Having received a warm welcome from the president of AKS and listened to him speak of his great pleasure and interest in continuing the relationship between the two countries through the Understanding Korea project makes me feel truly grateful, as they are not only willing to provide content to ensure accurate information about the history of Korea in countries with which it has bilateral relationships but also ready for cultural exchange and to have people discover Guatemala in their publications.
I would like to express my gratitude to all members of AKS who enabled these days in October to provide a unique experience that I hope will only be the beginning of a new mutual partnership between my country and Korea but also an opportunity for more Guatemalans to have the great privilege of learning about your extraordinary splendor and your exemplary development.
Some years ago, all I knew of Korea was just a little bit about the 1950s war. Then came the phenomenon of PSY's Gangnam Style, a very peculiar and popular dance performed at 15th birthdays or graduation parties with clenched fists and folded arms exactly like the nine-meter high bronze monument in the Gangnam district (where I naturally had my must-have photo taken).
In fact, I visited South Korea to address South Korea's cooperation with Guatemala in the educational field. The experience was enlightening, because although eight Latin American countries were invited to take part in the same program, each country's participation was different and very enriching, identifying fields of action that could be developed in the Guatemalan educational sector and broadening the learning and cultural exchange of both countries. I felt very proud when countries like Mexico and Costa Rica openly mentioned that they were surprised by South Korea's cooperation with Guatemala in terms of educational technology, donation of computer equipment, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships from KOICA, introduction of Korean content in Communication and Language and Natural Sciences textbooks, and introductory learning of the Korean language and taekwondo in public schools and institutes in the metropolitan area. In fact, the Korean Spanish radio station KBS World gave me a 10-minute slot to talk about the relationship between the two countries and the achievements made so far.
But if I thought that was all, I was definitely wrong. There is a lot more to say about South Korea as proven by my Latin American colleagues with their wonderful speeches. Ecuador explained how the first printed book in history was included in Ecuadorian texts. The book is the Jikji, a book containing the teachings of the Buddha and venerable monks printed in 1377, almost a century before what was believed to be the first printed book, the 42-line Gutenberg Bible. Honduras discussed the inclusion of taekwondo to encourage the development of the sport's technical skills and discipline and to improve concentration in the classroom. Colombia referred to a study proposal on the relationship between popular music group BTS and Herman Hesse's Demian, BTS and Romantic painting and Nietzsche, and BTS and Jung's psychoanalysis. Mexico captivated with its high-quality Korean content magazines produced by UNAM students. I found it astonishing that South Korea can be studied in numerous ways and that a remote country can become an easily approachable culture.
Another way to enjoy and learn about South Korea was through its cultural heritage sites. Seoul's royal palaces are a must-see for any traveler wishing to dive into its ancient culture. I visited Gyeongbokgung Palace where I saw the Royal Guard ceremony and wore a traditional Korean costume. By wearing a hanbok, I traveled back in time and imagined what life was like during the Joseon dynasty. I also let myself be captivated by Changdeokgung Palace and its stunning secret garden. I experienced walking along the DMZ and standing on the ground that has, for 70 years, represented a zone of high tension, political impact, and separation of families but also hope for the reunification of the two Koreas. The food, the drinks, the doors and alleys...Everything about South Korea fascinated me.
Having received a warm welcome from the president of AKS and listened to him speak of his great pleasure and interest in continuing the relationship between the two countries through the Understanding Korea project makes me feel truly grateful, as they are not only willing to provide content to ensure accurate information about the history of Korea in countries with which it has bilateral relationships but also ready for cultural exchange and to have people discover Guatemala in their publications.
I would like to express my gratitude to all members of AKS who enabled these days in October to provide a unique experience that I hope will only be the beginning of a new mutual partnership between my country and Korea but also an opportunity for more Guatemalans to have the great privilege of learning about your extraordinary splendor and your exemplary development.
