UAE to establish 'K-City' as regional hub for Korean food, culture

On Tuesday, November 18, an exciting new project was announced after a meeting between the UAE and South Korean Presidents — a whole 'K-City' right here in the UAE.

As part of a host of collaborations between the two countries across various fields, the UAE and South Korea are planning to establish a hub that will serve as a one-stop destination for all things Korean, from culture to food, and even business.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) said that the goal is position the UAE as the Middle Eastern centre for cultural contact with South Korea — an ambition for which the groundwork has already been laid.

Just this month, the largest K-content expo in the Middle East was held in Dubai, with participation from both government ministries and private companies.

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UAE residents have consistently shown a huge interest in Korean culture for years now. The Korean wave — commonly known as Hallyu — has particularly resonated with the younger generation.

K-pop and K-drama events are always well attended, with many high-profile celebrities making regular appearances in the Emirates. Dozens of Korean restaurants and pop-ups are packed with excited visitors, and K-beauty products are well established in the local market as well.

With this current project, the UAE and South Korea have placed an emphasis on "active people-to-people exchanges" between the two nations. More such connections are expected in the future — a exciting prospect for Korean culture enthusiasts in the Emirates.

Supreeta Balasubramanian

supreeta@khaleejtimes.com