Colombians' fever for Korean culture

By Choe Chong-dae

It is a positive sign that an increasing number of Colombian students have been learning Korean language and culture at King Sejong Institute in Bogota. Established by the Korean government in cooperation with the Asia- Ibero American Cultural Foundation in 2011, the institute immerses students in many aspects of both traditional and modern Korean culture, from K-Pop to classical literature.

For me, it is hard to think of Colombia apart from Gabriel Garcia Marquez, a legendary writer and journalist.

When Marquez's novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude" debuted in 1967, he became an international sensation. The mythical town of Macondo, as seen through the eyes of the characters in the Buendia family, also rose to fame. Each page of the novel transported me to a world ocean away, yet there was a familiar theme of life and death and the ups and downs of life that all human beings can relate to. How can I ever forget the characters that leapt from the pages, thanks to the brilliant penmanship of Marquez.

The rare talent of Garcia Marquez (1927-2014) is evident in his ability to tell stories that not only chronicle a Colombian's footsteps, but also those of an entire continent. It came as no surprise that he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982 for his novels and short stories.

To commemorate the 206th independence anniversary of Colombia, the Colombian Photography Exhibition: "Colombian Caribbean by Leo Matiz and Colombia in the Korean War” was held from July 15 to Aug. 3 at the Gallery of Korea Foundation in Seoul. The exhibition evoked feelings within me of nostalgia, camaraderie and admiration. It portrays forgotten images of the past captured through the eyes of Colombians. Leo Matiz (1917-1988) was an exceptionally talented artist who preserved the spirit of 20th century Latin America for the world to see. Coincidently, Matiz was born in Aracataca, Colombia, a tropical backwater region along the banks of the Magdalena River, which is also the birthplace of Marquez.

As the only South American nation to dispatch troops to the 1950-53 Korean War as part of the United Nations Allied Forces, Colombia lost 213 members and had 448 members wounded in action. Its infantry battalion, which did not exist before 1950, was created expressly to be sent to the Korean Peninsula. Those Colombian troops achieved brilliant battle results at the Battle of Geumseong among the hills of the Geumhwa area in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province. Colombia's dedication to Korea continues to this day with Colombia Air Force Major Juan Vallego and Colombia Army Captain Manuel Forero comprising the United Nations Command members patrolling the Han River Estuary to protect Korean fishermen's fishing territory. Additionally, Major General Carlos E. Montealegre, the defense attache of Colombia to Korea and the chief liaison oOfficer of United Nations Command, promotes security cooperation between the two countries in the areas of military technology and knowledge transfers.

I was delighted to learn of the FTA between Colombia and Korea, the implementation of which will provide both countries with more global competitiveness, particularly in the agro-industrial sector. The two countries have complementary trade structures, with Colombia producing raw materials and Korea making industrial goods that can be harmonized for bilateral commerce and export to third markets through the FTA.

Although I am not a big coffee drinker, I savor the unique flavor of Colombian coffee presented to me by the Embassy of Colombia on its National Day commemoration event. As I inhale the wonderful aroma, a vision of a bright future comes to mind.

I wish that the Colombians' Korean culture fever will help promote bilateral relationships between Korea and Colombia.

Choe Chong-dae is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and Director of the Korean-Swedish Association. He can be reached at dkic98@chol.com