Promoting Korean Culture Through G20
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The Group of 20 Seoul Summit is a rare opportunity for Korea to promote its culture directly to leaders from around the world.
However, the summit is only two days long and for security reasons combined with hectic schedules the leaders will be unable to explore the real Korea.
Therefore, the Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit has decided to take a different route in order to give officials a sample of what they are missing.
[Interview : Lee Si-hyung, Protocol Office Head The Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit] "The leaders come to Seoul for two days. But they will be stuck in their hotel rooms or the summit hall. So they won't have a chance to experience Korea. And because we cannot take them around the country, we've decided to bring Korea into the halls and hotels".
So one step to increase cultural exposure was to select the National Museum of Korea as a reception location.
The concept is to create an environment where the leaders will be naturally exposed to cultural assets, while dining and having meetings at the museum.
[Reporter : Choi Won-young won102@arirang.co.kr] "For one day, on November 11th the National Museum with precious heritages will turn into a huge dining room for the Group of 20 leaders. They will be able to enjoy a taste of Korea as well as its culture at the same time".
Also in preparation… the hotels have developed a new fusion style of Korean cuisine that is more suitable for foreigners which will hopefully provide a brief culinary escape from exhausting meetings.
[Interview : Shin Young-chel, Chef Imperial Palace Hotel] "Though really pungent and spicy sauces suit Korean tastes, they may not be enjoyed as much by foreigners. So we've tried sauces like basil pesto or sesame sauce that are less spicy".
The traditional Korean set menu called Hanjeongsik has over 20 different dishes being served on a table which can be a little overwhelming for the inexperienced.
Therefore, the new menu introduces less side dishes and also a different way of presenting the meal.
Koreans tend to like to wrap certain foods in lettuce, called ssam but the new menu does the job for them in the kitchen.
And plus, the restaurant itself is also decorated in traditional style to provide something more than just flavor.
Choi Won-young, Arirang News.
However, the summit is only two days long and for security reasons combined with hectic schedules the leaders will be unable to explore the real Korea.
Therefore, the Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit has decided to take a different route in order to give officials a sample of what they are missing.
[Interview : Lee Si-hyung, Protocol Office Head The Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit] "The leaders come to Seoul for two days. But they will be stuck in their hotel rooms or the summit hall. So they won't have a chance to experience Korea. And because we cannot take them around the country, we've decided to bring Korea into the halls and hotels".
So one step to increase cultural exposure was to select the National Museum of Korea as a reception location.
The concept is to create an environment where the leaders will be naturally exposed to cultural assets, while dining and having meetings at the museum.
[Reporter : Choi Won-young won102@arirang.co.kr] "For one day, on November 11th the National Museum with precious heritages will turn into a huge dining room for the Group of 20 leaders. They will be able to enjoy a taste of Korea as well as its culture at the same time".
Also in preparation… the hotels have developed a new fusion style of Korean cuisine that is more suitable for foreigners which will hopefully provide a brief culinary escape from exhausting meetings.
[Interview : Shin Young-chel, Chef Imperial Palace Hotel] "Though really pungent and spicy sauces suit Korean tastes, they may not be enjoyed as much by foreigners. So we've tried sauces like basil pesto or sesame sauce that are less spicy".
The traditional Korean set menu called Hanjeongsik has over 20 different dishes being served on a table which can be a little overwhelming for the inexperienced.
Therefore, the new menu introduces less side dishes and also a different way of presenting the meal.
Koreans tend to like to wrap certain foods in lettuce, called ssam but the new menu does the job for them in the kitchen.
And plus, the restaurant itself is also decorated in traditional style to provide something more than just flavor.
Choi Won-young, Arirang News.
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