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Of all the nations to share close exchanges of culture and commerce, one might not expect Korea and Egypt to be a natural pairing. After all, the differences between the two nations, with dramatically different histories, societies, and languages, seem fairly stark. Chalk it up to the dynamics of globalization though — thanks in part to the efforts of translators and interpreters throughout the decades, Egypt and Korea are closer than ever.
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A milestone anniversary
The first days of October were an opportunity to celebrate three decades of bilateral relations with Cairo hosting their Asian counterpart for nine days of diplomacy and economic cooperation. Dubbed Korea Week, the occasion recognized the two countries’ significant shared achievements. Those include $3 billion in bilateral trade in 2022, $930 million in Korean investments, and an educational exchange bringing 1,000 Korean nationals to Egypt and 1,500 Egyptian citizens to South Korea. It all adds up to substantial progress since diplomatic relations between Egypt and South Korea were established in 1995.
“I sincerely hope that this year will serve to bring the hearts of our two peoples closer together and lay the foundation for further development in our bilateral relations,” wrote South Korea’s ambassador to Egypt, Kim Yonghyon, for Daily News Egypt in April. “Join in our journey toward hope and co-prosperity into the boundless future.”
Launching a cultural caravan
It’s just the beginning of the mutual interests that Koreans and Egyptians share for each other’s cultures. In May, for instance, the Korean Cultural Center in Cairo launched a Korean Culture Caravan showcasing key elements of Korean society. From introductory Korean classes to craft workshops to demonstrations of popular Korean games, crafts, fashion, and music, the caravan’s attractions drew crowds of participants, according to Egypt Today.
“As we celebrate this milestone of 30 years of international relations, we’re committed to expanding programs that build bridges between our nations — through language education, arts collaborations, and more,” said Oh Sung-ho, director of the Korean Cultural Center, according to Egypt Today.
Bridging cultures through translation, tourism
Modern Korean arts and entertainment are just as popular in Egypt. In April, the K-comics World exhibition promoted Korean comics and webtoons in Egypt, with a particular focus on the international smash webtoon Hellbound, the Korea JoongAng Daily reports. According to the Korea Creative Content Agency (Kocca), the exhibition doubled as an evaluation of the Middle East-North African market potential, hinting at the possibility of increased cultural exports.
“This exhibition goes beyond simply showcasing content — it’s an opportunity to build emotional resonance with readers around the world and establish a foundation for Korean webtoons to grow globally,” said Lee Hyun-joo, head of the content IP division at Kocca, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. “We will continue to support Korean comics and creators so they can find greater opportunities on the global stage.”
The 30-year anniversary likewise provided promotional opportunities for tourism between the two countries, with the K-Tourism Seminar bringing together Egyptian and Korean travel companies. And as Egyptian fascination with Korean culture grew over the years, Egyptian creators took the initiative to translate and distribute more Korean art throughout the nation, according to Global Voices. Mohamed El-Bayar’s fascination with Korea eventually won him a scholarship to study in the country, leading him to a career in translation and interpretation.
“Translation isn’t just about words. It’s about conveying emotion and culture,” he told Global Voices. “AI will change many aspects of translation, especially in technical fields. But literary translation will always need the human touch.”
