By Korea .net Honorary Reporter Salwa Elzeny
Photos = Yalla Korea
Modern relations between Korea and Arab countries started only recently, but expanded and spread very quickly. Actually, the first contact between Korea and the Arab world took place through international trade during Silla times (57 B.C.-A.D. 935). Korea was not a colony, and Arab merchants didn't carry any hostile feelings towards it. Therefore, the relationship between the Koreans and the Arabs is strong and relies on mutual exchanges between Korea and Arabia across many fields, such as cultural, political, economic and other fields.
Over time, with the growth of the Korean economy and growing popularity in the Korean language in some Arab countries, the number of Arab consumers of Korean pop culture has increased. Korea has become a travel destination for many Arabs, especially the young, and vice versa. Many young Koreans become interested in the Arab world and in the Arabic language, and some even establish tour companies to help Arabs travel to Korea.
Here you can learn about a KBS World Radio Arabic interview with Im Sang-ok.
KBS World Radio Arabic interviewed Im Sang-ok, who goes by the name "Madiha." She's one of the founders of Yalla Korea, a tour company that helps Arabic-speakers who visit Korea, as well as long-term residents here.
Im told KBS World that, “Tourism is the best way to meet Arabs."
Im said that she met a young Korean man Park Sang Won, or "Khalid ," who has a dream to set up a tour company for Arab tourists from all over the Arabic-speaking world. Im told KBS World about the story behind the company name and how they established the company, in addition to information about the various programs offered by Yalla Korea for Arab tourists.
Im added that Yalla Korea plans to develop new and unconventional programs for Arab tourists in the near future.
At the end of the interview, Im said that she hopes that Yalla Korea will forever be a communication and understanding bridge between Arabs and Koreans.
To learn more about Yalla Korea, please visit their official website or one of their social media platforms.
wisdom117@korea.kr
