Telangana and South Korea Chart Path for Deeper Cultural and Tourism Ties

Hyderabad—State authorities and representatives from the Republic of Korea gathered on Monday to chart an expanded framework for bilateral cooperation spanning tourism, cultural heritage, and creative industries.

Tourism, Culture and Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao held talks with a delegation headed by Hwang Ilyong, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) and Counsellor (Culture and Press) at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. The discussions centred on deepening engagement across multiple sectors, with particular emphasis on heritage preservation and cultural exchange initiatives.

A centrepiece of the proposed collaboration is the Telangana–Korea Cultural Festival, slated for October 25, 2026, in Hyderabad. Krishna Rao expressed support for the initiative, noting it would provide a platform to celebrate Korean cultural heritage through music, dance, traditional cuisine, and performing arts. Such an event, he suggested, would foster stronger connections between citizens of both regions while simultaneously opening new avenues for tourism development.

The minister highlighted the expanding appeal of Korean cultural products within India, particularly among younger audiences. Korean television dramas and entertainment programming have gained substantial viewership through streaming platforms, creating fresh opportunities for tourism promotion and creative sector collaboration, Krishna Rao observed. He emphasised that these trends present a foundation for mutually beneficial partnerships.

Both sides explored possibilities for artist exchange programmes and other cooperative ventures aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. Krishna Rao reaffirmed the state government's readiness to deepen ties with South Korea across tourism, cultural preservation, heritage conservation, and the creative industries.

Also present at the meeting were Kim Kanghun, Head of Administration at the Korean Cultural Centre India, and Im Hwije, Head of Public Relations at KCCI. Suresh Chukkapalli, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, participated in the discussions.