The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Craft & Design Foundation on Feb. 9 opened “Hanbok Uniform Exhibition” at Culture Station Seoul 284 in the capital’s Jung-gu District. Shown are Hanbok-inspired attire for the office and school. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
By Xu Aiying and Kim Hayeon
Domestic media on Feb. 8 said China has downplayed the controversy over a woman clad in Hanbok who appeared to represent ethnic Koreans in China at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, with Beijing saying, “The content of the opening ceremony’s performances is completely irrelevant to the cultural origin issue.”
Yonhap News said diplomatic authorities on the same day met journalists in Seoul and said Korean diplomatic officials conveyed to Beijing the high level of public interest in and concern over the issue.
The Chinese side was quoted as saying, “The opening ceremony had ethnic minorities in China including Joseonjok (ethnic Koreans in China) appear in their respective traditional clothing, so Korea has no special need to be concerned culturally.”
One Chinese response to the controversy conveyed at the event was “The clear fact that Hanbok is traditional culture unique to Korea and its people will not change.”
In a regular briefing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Choi Young-sam said, “The ministry has closely monitored trends in the cultural debate and consistently conveyed its position to the Chinese side that the latter must respect each country’s indigenous culture and raise basic understanding based on cultural diversity.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Craft & Design Foundation opened on Feb. 9 “Hanbok Uniform Exhibition” at Culture Station Seoul 284 in the capital’s Jung-gu District.
To run through Feb. 24, the event showcases 30 Hanbok-inspired casual business outfits for tourism and accommodation employees given the sector’s importance in promoting Korea’s image at home and abroad, and 15 Hanbok school uniforms popular among students, parents and school staff.
“To spread a culture of wearing Hanbok in daily life, the ministry is promoting projects to supply Hanbok-style uniforms for school or office,” the Culture Ministry said. “We will continue efforts to promote the excellence of our traditional culture including Hanbok not only in everyday life in Korea but also abroad.”
xuaiy@korea.kr
