Korea-Spain forum to focus on economic crisis

A two-day Korea-Spain forum opens at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul today.

Organized by the Korea Foundation, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Casa Asia, it is the seventh biannual forum.

Amid rising concerns over the economic crisis in the European Union and its ripple effects across the world, the economy is expected to be the main talking point along with bilateral trade and investment as the Korea-EU free trade agreement is now in effect.

Trilateral cooperation between Korea, Spain and Latin America is a new topic. Korea has shown a growing interest in Latin America, which has abundant mineral resources, and countries in the region are responding positively to its enthusiasm so far. Latin America’s interest in Korea lies in a transfer of technology.

Participants from Spain include Ramon Moreno, director of Casa Asia; Ernesto de Zulueta, director general for North America and Asia-Pacific at the Spanish foreign ministry; Miquel Esteve, commissioner for immigration at the Barcelona City Council; Jordi Espluga, a representative for the center for the development of industrial technology of science and innovation at Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness; Sonia Belen Palomo Das Neves, deputy director for the transfer of technology and international relations at the Technological Park of Andalucia; Alvaro Hidalgo, deputy director at Spanish Center of Korean Research; Elvira Marco, director general for Accion Cultural Espanola; and Beatriz Marco Arce, director for national tourist office of Spain for South Korea, Japan and Taiwan at the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Tourism.

Participants from the Korean side include Kim Woo-sang, president of the Korea Foundation; Lee Hong-gu, former prime minister; Park Chul, president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies; Han Duck-soo, chairman of Korea International Trade Association; Kim Gun-young, director at Korea Trade Promotion and Investment in Madrid; Bang Sun-gyu, director-general for the culture and art bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Jo Tae-yeol, former ambassador to Spain. <The Korea Times/Kim se-jeong>

news@theasian.asia