Expats enjoy last traditional music concert at Gugakdang
Artists perform at the final Traditional Korean Performing Arts performance at Donhwamun Gugakdang, Seoul, June 13. / Courtesy of John Redmond
By John Redmond
The Senior Public Diplomacy Group and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted its final Traditional Korean Performing Arts performance at Donhwamun Gugakdang in Seoul, June 13.
This festive program included Korean folk music and dance performances.
The last event came after the ministry’s decision to disband the group. The decision was based on the need to explore future performances on a project-by-project basis.
The group invited foreign residents to the free event in hopes of “achieving mutual understanding and friendship between expats and Koreans, so we may move forward together to a more peaceful future,” the group’s President Choi Ha-kyung said.
“In the future, performances will be prioritized on a project-by-project basis.”
The ministry established the group as part of the Center for Public Diplomacy in June 2012. The nonprofit group was aimed at raising public awareness of Korea. It was comprised of 20 “public diplomats” with considerable experience and standing in the community, ranging from professors and CEOs to medical doctors and civil servants.