Qatar, Goyang city to expand cooperation
The Embassy of Qatar and Goyang City pledged to enhance cooperation to strengthen Korea-Qatar diplomatic ties.
In a meeting held at Goyang City Hall on Friday, Qatar's Ambassador to Korea, Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar, and Goyang Mayor Lee Dong-hwan discussed ways to achieve new milestones in Korea-Qatar ties.
South Korea and Qatar established diplomatic relations on April 18, 1974.
In October 2023, the two countries elevated their relationship from a "comprehensive partnership" to a "comprehensive strategic partnership," expanding diplomatic and security dialogue and reinforcing collaboration in defense and military affairs.
The Middle Eastern country values South Korea's expertise in port and airport management, agriculture, data centers and healthcare. Due to its small population and dependence on foreign labor, Qatar is keen to partner with Korea on infrastructure automation.
'Last year, to mark the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relationship, the Goyang Cultural Foundation and the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra signed a memorandum of understanding,' said Mayor Lee, pointing to growing ties with Qatar in culture, arts and education.
According to the Goyang city government, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will perform for the first time in Korea this April at the Aram Nuri Theater in Goyang.
'I hope this performance will further strengthen the cultural and emotional bonds between our two nations,' said the mayor, praising Qatar's success in hosting the World Cup and highlighting Goyang's rise as a global cultural hub.
Lee also referred to Goyang's role as a concert venue for top artists, including Jungkook of BTS, Kanye West and Blackpink.
'Through mutual exchanges in culture, arts and education, as well as strengthened global content cooperation, I hope Qatar and Goyang Special City will continue to develop a progressive and forward-looking relationship for a better future,' he said.
"We will push forward with attracting prestigious international schools to Goyang by benchmarking Qatar's Education City to create a global educational environment," he said.
Expressing appreciation for Lee's initiatives, Al-Hamar emphasized that while Qatar-Korea relations have traditionally centered on economic cooperation, particularly in the gas and energy sectors, efforts are needed to broaden partnerships into other fields.
Qatar is a crucial energy security partner for Korea, especially for liquefied natural gas imports. Korean companies have built many of Qatar's major infrastructure projects, including roads, hospitals, power plants and industrial facilities, making Qatar an essential overseas construction market for Korea.
The ambassador noted that while Korea was once mainly recognized for its economic and political importance, it has recently gained global recognition for its remarkable contributions in drama and the arts.
'Music is one of the most essential mediums for fostering cultural exchange and expanding the significance of culture between our two nations,' he said.
'Globally, Korea's music and arts have reached the highest level of excellence,' he said.
The event proposed initiatives such as establishing a Free Economic Zone and attracting global enterprises. It also discussed forming a sister-city relationship between Doha and Goyang.
"Media from both countries also have a key role in raising awareness across diverse areas between the two nations," Al Hamar told The Korea Herald.
After the official event, Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young suggested media diplomacy to engage people and expand areas of awareness.
To promote multifaceted content exchanges between Korea and Qatar, The Korea Herald and The Peninsula, an English-language daily published in Doha, Qatar, established media partnerships aimed at fostering mutual awareness and content sharing. In March 2022, they signed an agreement on the sidelines of the 20th Doha Forum to activate journalistic exchanges between Qatar and Korea.
Held annually in Doha since 2003, the forum brings together global policymakers to build action-driven networks. The Korea Herald has covered diplomatic discussions there since 2022.
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