Ashraf AboArafe
The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Egypt, Mr. Hong Jin-wook, met with the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Ahmed Eissa on Sunday, March 12, to exchange views on the current bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism and cultural heritage and to emphasize more government support to enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Ambassador Hong stated that security warnings for Korean citizens traveling to Egypt were lowered last August for the first time in 8 years, and direct flights between Korea and Egypt are expected to resume this year, which is already attracting a large number of tourists to Egypt. According to Ambassador Hong, based on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in January 2022, the Korean government provides support estimated at $13.6 million for projects related to the protection and restoration of Egyptian cultural heritage such as the restoration of the Ramesseum Temple in Luxor and the digitization of documentary heritage. Ambassador Hong expressed his conviction that this cooperation will contribute to a better understanding between the two peoples, which will lead to exchanges at a higher level and will serve as the cornerstone for making our bilateral relations sustainable.
Minister Ahmed Eissa expressed his gratitude to the Korean government and the embassy for promoting active exchanges between the two peoples and caring for valuable Egyptian cultural assets. He suggested that this support be used for the comfort and safety of Korean tourists, hoping that this would lead to further progress in bilateral relations.
Ambassador Hong and Minister Ahmed Issa agreed at this meeting to communicate closely to find effective ways to enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
