Cairo Hosts Korean Culture Day to Mark Three Decades of Egypt–Korea Friendship

Egypt marked 30 years of diplomatic relations with Korea through a vibrant cultural celebration held in Cairo, reaffirming the strong ties and growing friendship between the two nations. The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense Language Institute (MODLI), hosted “Korean Culture Day” on April 20, 2025, as a symbol of shared values, mutual respect, and continued cultural exchange.

The event was organized by eight KOICA volunteers and drew around 300 attendees from across Egypt, including students, government officials, cultural partners, and volunteers from institutions such as Beni-Suef Technological University and the Higher Institute of Tourism and Hotels. Notable guests included General Taiseer Mohamed El-Attar, Head of MODLI; Brigadier General Mohamed Ibrahim, MODLI Deputy Director; Dr. Ranya Elwan, Head of Misr Public Library in Cairo; Mr. Tamer Ali, Head of the Training Department at MODLI; and KOICA Egypt Deputy Country Director, Mingyeong-Kim.

The day’s celebration offered an immersive cultural experience, bringing Korean heritage to life through traditional food, games, language, and performance. Attendees enjoyed Korean dishes, tried on the iconic Hanbok (traditional attire), and participated in classic games such as tuho, jegichagi, and ttakji. A Korean language contest, K-pop and Korean dance performances, and a lively Korean culture quiz added energy and excitement to the event. A standout moment was a Taekwondo demonstration by the Egyptian national team, which captivated the crowd and emphasized the strength of cultural cooperation.

In her remarks, KOICA Deputy Director Mingyeong-Kim emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchange, stating, “We hope this event becomes a catalyst for further cultural exchange between Korea and Egypt. KOICA will continue to foster friendship and cooperation through a wide range of initiatives.”

General El-Attar expressed his appreciation for the event and its potential to build bridges between the two cultures. He voiced his hope for more opportunities for Egyptians to engage with Korean language and traditions in the future.

Ryu Oh-young, a KOICA volunteer who led the planning of the event in collaboration with the KOICA Egypt Office, reflected on the experience with gratitude and optimism. “I didn’t realize how fun it would be to share our culture. It was enjoyable—that’s what made it possible. There were challenges, but they were meant to be overcome, not to defeat us,” he said, thanking MODLI staff and fellow volunteers for their teamwork and support.

For many Egyptian attendees, the event was a meaningful encounter with Korean culture and values. Shaimaa Ali Mohamed, a student from MPL Luxor, remarked that despite differences in background and appearance, the warmth and humanity shared between Egyptians and Korean volunteers created lasting connections. She expressed hope that such events would help deepen cultural understanding and bring people closer, beyond national and racial lines.

The event underscored the rising popularity of Korean culture in Egypt and the powerful role cultural exchange plays in strengthening international partnerships. From food and fashion to martial arts and music, Korean Culture Day illustrated the broad appeal of Korea’s cultural diplomacy—and Egypt’s enthusiastic embrace of it.

KOICA, a Korean government agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has supported sustainable development in Egypt since 1998. The KOICA Egypt Office provides technical training, supports digital transformation, addresses gender-based violence, and promotes women's empowerment and inclusion of vulnerable communities across the country.