Milan, Consulate of South Korea: we had the pleasure and honor of being able to interview the Consul General of Korea Mr. Kang Hyung Shik.
We are grateful for the time that the Consul dedicated to us when we were not yet online, because, despite his numerous commitments, he was interested in our project Kotaᆯia. Our web magazine is a bridge between Korea and Italy; a platform created to allow a cultural exchange between two apparently different nations but in reality united by a thin thread that binds them.
It seemed right and proper to send our web magazine online, dedicating the first article to the splendid person of the Consul.
CONSULATE OF SOUTH KOREA: FIRST MEETING, FIRST IMPRESSIONS…
It was mid-October when we went to consulate of South Korea in Milan full of enthusiasm. At the same time we felt a little anxious, because it was our first official interview with a Korean authority on Italian soil. The anxieties quickly subsided, because if the atmosphere in the consulate was initially formal, it almost immediately subsided thanks to the affability of the Consul. With his kindness and his manners he immediately put us at ease. He patiently listened to our project and proved to be willing to collaborate to pursue objectives that were similar to those of the Consulate on a social, working and educational level.
It was an immense pleasure and a wonderful surprise to listen to his opening presentation in Italian; the rest of the interview was conducted in English, a factor that contributed to the fluidity of the exposition of the questions, lacking the form of courtesy.
CONSULATE OF SOUTH KOREA: WHAT HE TOLD US CONSUL KANG?
He told us about his assignment as Consul General for Korea in Italy, which he has held since May 2021, of what his arrival in our country was like and of the desire to bring Korean culture to Italy and vice versa.
The Consul answered the questions in such an exhaustive and detailed manner that on many occasions he anticipated our questions without the need to formulate the question, so we had to modify the schedule a little during construction
Al Consulate of South KoreaWe discussed with the Consul many important issues such as work and study opportunities in Korea, social, scholastic and university diversity. These differences may apparently be frightening, but they represent a wealth on a cultural level. The key word is inclusion between our two cultures, which passes through the discovery and knowledge of history, social habits and traditions. To help Italians discover and understand the Land of the Calm Morning, the Korean Consulate promotes many socio-cultural activities throughout the year, involving for example history and art.
We won't take up any more of your time, we'll let you listen directly to the Consul's words in the video interview, hoping they are that bridge that will soon bring Italy and South Korea ever closer.
Happy Vision!
Kotaᆯia
Photo credit: Kotalia
Video credit: Kotalia