The Korean Cabinet opened at St Petersburg University

In his welcoming remarks, the Consul General thanked the University administration and staff for their long-standing cooperation aimed at the comprehensive development of Russia-Korea relations. ‘Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990, our interaction has been constantly developing in various fields: education, culture, economy, and policy,’ said Consul General Byun Chul Hwan. ‘Although the political situation has led to the fact that the relations between our countries are somewhat strained, I believe that like it is said in the Korean proverb "a tree with deep roots will not bend in the wind", the cooperation between our countries, which has been built up over a long period of time and is based on mutual trust, will remain standing.’

I believe that the opening of the Korean Cabinet at St Petersburg University, an educational institution with a long history, is an excellent example of how cooperation between our countries, built on trust and friendship, continues.

Byun Chul Hwan, Consul General of the Republic of Korea

Rector Nikolay Kropachev noted that the significance of the partnership between St Petersburg University, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Russian Federation, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Foundation cannot be overestimated. He also expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for their significant contribution to the implementation of the joint project to open the Korean Corner.

The design of the Korean Cabinet was developed under the supervision of Associate Professor Evgeniia Petrashen by students from the University’s Environmental Design academic programme. Previously, students had been engaged in the design of the Chinese Cabinet, which opened in February 2022. The Korean Cabinet is available to all University students and staff and can be used for group classes, meetings and other activities.

‘It was here, at St Petersburg University, that Korean language teaching first began in Europe − that was 125 years ago. Not long ago, in 2017, St Petersburg University established the Department of Korean Studies. More than 20 degree and non-degree academic programmes with a Korean component are currently being taught at St Petersburg University,’ pointed out Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Addressing the students, Rector Nikolay Kropachev emphasised the importance of personal interest in receiving a quality education.

Your personal choice is coincident with the state and public interest. Developing relations with Korea is one of the significant areas of the Russian Federation’s foreign policy. It is important to remember that your education and future profession is not only about your self-fulfilment, but also about your contribution to the development of the state. I am convinced that the Korean Cabinet opened today will enable you to enjoy your studies and will help you move forward in our common goal.

Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences

At the end of the event, students in the Korean Philology programme read out poems in Korean. Daria Kurianovich recited the poem The Flower by Kim Chunsu and Evgenii Grigorev recited the poem The Poet by Pak Kyongni, a Korean writer. The translations of both works into Russian were presented by Associate Professor Anastasiia Gureva.