1. The 8th meeting of the Republic of Korea-Italian Republic joint cultural committee will take place in Rome, Italy, on September 13, with Director-General for Public Diplomacy and Cultural Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hong Seok-in and Director-General for the Promotion of Culture and Language of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Roberto Vellano leading their respective delegations.

2. In the upcoming meeting, the two countries will discuss ways to enhance cooperation between the ROK and Italian organizations in the arts and culture sector (museums, libraries, etc.); ways to cooperate in the film industry; cooperation in using Hanji (traditional Korean paper) for restoring and conserving cultural heritage made of paper; ways to promote Korean language/studies and Italian language/studies in each other’s countries; facilitating student exchange programs between the two countries; strengthening cooperation in government scholarship programs; and ways to increase exchanges in the sports and tourism sectors.

o The two sides will especially consult on the Hanji Project, which has been carried out since 2015, and the Window on Korea, a Korea reference room to open inside a library at the Sapienza University of Rome next month. They will continue to work together to make sure that such efforts help increase cultural exchanges not only between the two countries, but also with other European countries.

3. In the forthcoming meeting, the two sides will take note of their efforts to continue to advance cooperative relations in a range of areas, including culture, arts, education, sports and tourism, since the conclusion of the ROK-Italy cultural agreement. They will also share public and cultural diplomacy policies being pursued by the two countries in the changing global environment.

4. By continuing to conduct cultural diplomacy using soft power, the Foreign Ministry will work to enhance friendship between the ROK and Italy, and further promote the ROK’s image as a charming country that communicates with the world.

* unofficial translation