During a visit to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, a couple of years ago, I saw a painting that proves Korea sent diplomatic envoys to Uzbekistan via the Silk Road as early as the seventh century. It was a 7th-century mural in the Afrasiab Palace in Samarkand, which depicts a picture of two delegates from Goguryeo having an audience with the king. This is just one piece of evidence which shows that Korea and the Arab world share a long historical connection dating back over a thousand years. Considering the geographical distance and undeveloped travel routes of the time, such history is indeed remarkable.

Unfortunately, as Western Europe rose in power, exchanges between Korea and the Arab world came to a halt. As both regions were swept into the power politics of modern times, they were denied the chance to develop their own terms of diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with each other.

Edward Said, an established Arab-born scholar, criticized in his book "Orientalism" the subtle and persistent Euro-centric prejudice against the Orient, particularly against the Arabo-Islamic peoples and their cultures. The irony is that the prejudice portrayed in "Orientalism" does not only exist in the West, but we Koreans, who are a part of the greater Asiatic world, also hold a degree of prejudice and misperception with regard to the Middle East. This phenomenon may be the result of Western influence on Korean values, as Koreans may have unwittingly taken in the Western perception of the Middle East.

Although it is widely known that the Arab world safeguarded the ancient Greek and Latin cultures from loss and destruction while Europe was going through the Dark Ages, most Koreans are unfamiliar with Islamic theology and philosophy, let alone its literature.

Fortunately, Koreans' misperceptions of the Middle East are slowly changing. Changes can be felt across society as a whole. Middle Eastern Art exhibitions are frequently held while a wealth of information on travels to the Middle East flood the internet. The Korean public's increasing interest in Middle Eastern culture is a welcome phenomenon, attesting to the growing maturity of Korean society, currently home to approximately 100,000 Islamic workers. Meanwhile, as Middle Eastern countries are becoming more open toward foreign cultures and with the spread of the internet, in particular, Middle Eastern societies' interest in diverse cultures is also growing.

This has given rise to the need to reexamine Korea's Middle East policy and to redefine Korea-Middle East relations.

The Korean government is well aware that just as mutual interest and understanding are needed to solidify personal relationships, a mature and solid relationship between countries requires a comprehensive understanding of and compassion for each other's culture, tradition, history and religion.

With this in mind, the Korean government has taken the initiative to establish an organization called the Korea-Arab Society to nurture the "Middle East momentum" and to enhance mutual understanding between the Korean and Arab peoples. Participants from political, economic, academic, cultural and religious sectors of both Korea and the Arab world will take part in various events which the Korea-Arab Society will be organizing, including economic, cultural, and educational activities all aimed to broaden the areas of mutual cooperation.

So far, many Middle Eastern and Arab countries have not only welcomed the launch of the Korea-Arab Society, but also expressed firm support for the organization. Heads of states, high-level government officials, the academia, prominent individuals, and representatives of business, industry and mass media from Korea and the Arab world are expected to attend the upcoming International Conference to Launch the Korea-Arab Society, which will be held on May 26 in Seoul. To celebrate the establishment of the society, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be hosting a Korea-Arab Cultural Festival from May to July in collaboration with eight Arab countries - Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia.

Today, Korea and the Middle East are reencountering each other on the "new Silk Road" of the 21st century. As the word "Silk Road" today means a channel for various exchanges between the East and the West, including political, cultural and religious exchanges, I believe the Korea-Arab Society will most successfully serve as a "new Silk Road." I do hope that the launch of the Korea-Arab Society will create a momentum for peoples of Korea and the Arab world to rediscover each other and open up new horizons in Korea-Arab relations.


출 처: 코리아헤럴드  08/5/26