Ruling and opposition parties clash over President Lee’s overseas trip... Culture minister: “Don’t disparage K-culture’s achievements”

[Financial News] As ruling and opposition parties continue to spar over President Lee Jae-myung’s overseas travel schedule, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young directly rebutted criticism from the opposition. He argued that the Lumiere Summit in France and a visit to a K-pop concert venue in Mexico were itinerary stops that showcased the standing and influence of Korean culture.
On the 1st, Minister Choi posted on social media (SNS) to express regret over People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok’s criticism of the overseas trip. He explained that the Lumiere Summit, held in France last September, was an international summit co-chaired by the leaders of the two countries at the suggestion of French President Emmanuel Macron. He said it was an occasion to showcase Korea’s standing and leadership in the film and audiovisual industries.
He also touted as achievements a K-culture roundtable held at the site of a Stray Kids concert during the trip to Mexico in late September, as well as attending the performance. He emphasized that about 60,000 local fans had gone to the venue and that the event was a symbolic stop on the itinerary that confirmed K-culture’s popularity in Latin America.
Minister Choi said he would meet with Jang in person to explain K-culture policies and achievements.
Earlier, on the 31st of last month, Jang criticized President Lee’s frequent overseas trips on social media, taking issue with his attendance at the Lumiere Summit and his visit to a K-pop concert in Mexico, among other things. He also pointed to the New York sightseeing itinerary carried out amid injuries to service members.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement that day, rebutting the criticism by saying it was inappropriate to devalue the significance of the trip based solely on some socializing and cultural-exchange scenes, without taking into account the full schedule and substantive achievements of summit diplomacy.

[email protected] Jung Sang-hee Reporter