WJF & APJA Delegation Meets Korean Ambassador Park Kijun to Foster Media Collaboration and Strengthen Bilateral Ties

World Journalists Federation WJF: Strengthening Pak-Korea Media Collaboration

A six-member delegation from the World Journalists Federation (WJF) & APJA received a warm welcome at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Islamabad by Ambassador Park Kijun. The visit aimed to explore and enhance media collaboration to promote Pak-Korea relations, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation.

TheWJF & APJA  delegation included Vice President Iffat Rauf, Secretary General WJF Abid Siddique Chaudhry, Joint Secretary Wasif Ali Khan, President Punjab Basharat Ali, and Information Secretary Adnan Hameed.

During the meeting, WJF Secretary General Abid Siddique Chaudhry shared his professional experiences in Seoul, highlighting potential collaborations with the Korean Embassy. He emphasized WJF’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and noted the successful 2023 dinner reception hosted in Lahore’s Shahi Qila for a Korean business delegation. Abid expressed enthusiasm for welcoming more Korean business leaders to Pakistan in the future. World Journalists Federation (WJF)  South Korea President, Irfan Ghafor, also joined via video call, conversing in Korean with Ambassador Park Kijun, which was greatly appreciated. The meeting was attended by the Cultural Counselor and the Public Diplomacy Incharge from the Korean Embassy. The WJF& APJA members were served traditional Korean cuisine during the gathering.

Vice President APJA Iffat Rauf introduced the WJF & APJA team to Ambassador Park and expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended during the lunch reception.

Ambassador Park Kijun acknowledged the Pakistani media’s role in fostering bilateral relations and shared his personal experiences of living and traveling in Pakistan. He assured WJF & APJA members of his support in promoting cultural activities through media platforms. The ambassador also announced the Korean Embassy’s upcoming mega events in Islamabad, scheduled for October 2024. These events will feature performances by renowned Korean artists and musicians at Liaquat Gymnasium, aiming to provide a vibrant cultural exchange experience.

He further informed the delegation about the organization of “2024 Korea Week” from October 22nd to 27th, which will include:

• Korean National and Armed Forces Day Reception
• Korea-Pakistan Cultural Gala at Liaquat Gymnasium in collaboration with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
• Korea-Pakistan Movie Day at PNCA
• Korean Ambassador’s Cup National Taekwondo Championship at Liaquat Gymnasium Islamabad

Discussing business opportunities, Ambassador Park highlighted Pakistan’s economic potential, particularly in the agricultural sector. He acknowledged the global reputation of Pakistani products and encouraged business communities to engage with their Korean counterparts. He specifically praised the professionalism of Pakistani mango exporters and recommended they visit Korea to explore collaborative opportunities with Korean companies.

Ambassador Park also noted that approximately 900 Korean nationals reside in Pakistan, mainly in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, where they work in various Korean companies. Addressing inquiries about the popularity of Korean cosmetics, the ambassador expressed the embassy’s readiness to support Pakistani businesses interested in investing in and learning about the Korean cosmetics sector.

General Secretary WJF’s Abid Siddique Chaudhry reaffirmed WJF& APJA’s commitment to promoting Pak-Korea relations and cultural activities through prominent media platforms, including CNN Urdu and THE WORLD AMBASSADOR – English.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Abid Siddique Chaudhry, along with association members, presented a commemorative shield to Ambassador Park. In return, the Korean Ambassador distributed souvenirs to the WJF & APJA members, symbolizing mutual respect and a promise of continued collaboration.

TheWJF & APJA delegation’s visit marks a significant step toward enhancing media collaboration and fostering stronger cultural and economic ties between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea, laying the foundation for future initiatives and partnerships.