By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
Diplomatic tension triggered by Japan's renewed claim to the South Korean islets of Dokdo in the East Sea has had an effect on cultural exchange as the Japanese Public Information and Cultural Center cancelled and delayed events that were part of an annual cultural festival.
The Japanese Summer Festival, consisting of five different cultural activities, was scheduled to begin this week, but the embassy cancelled three activities and postponed the remaining two until late July, the Japanese Embassy said.
According to a new schedule, an art exhibition will now run from July 28 until Aug. 2 at the cultural center. The Experiencing Japanese Culture exhibit will now begin July 31 and run for two days.
Japanese drum classes, Japanese films and a concert of Bati-Holic, a group of Japanese traditional percussion instrument players, which were to take place at the center were all cancelled.
A press attache at the embassy said the decision was in part due to sporadic protests in front of the embassy.
The embassy issued a statement for Japanese citizens in Korea, cautioning about their safety.
For further information about upcoming events, visit the web site: https://www.kr.emb-japan.go.jp/, or call (02) 765-3011.