South Korea

VIDEOS: Immensely popular K-pop group shoots music video in Budapest

seventeen in budapest music

The Hungarian fans of one of today’s most popular K-pop (Korean pop) groups Seventeen are sure to have heard in the past month that the members were in Budapest, the Hungarian capital. They were not here for a show though and they did not announce their stay at first. So what exactly brought these 13 young men to this charming Central European city?

As we reported two weeks ago, Jungkook, a member of K-pop group BTS, was in Budapest along with several dancers. Now, all the members of Seventeen, a group debuted in 2015, resided in Budapest for quite a while. They had been here since well before Jungkook even arrived, since at least the middle of September.

Two members, Mingyu (Kim Mingyu) and Dino (Lee Chan) dancing with the Szabadság (Liberty) Bridge in the background:

 

A bejegyzés megtekintése az Instagramon

 

SEVENTEEN (@saythename_17) által megosztott bejegyzés

Dino dancing in downtown Budapest:

 

A bejegyzés megtekintése az Instagramon

 

SEVENTEEN (@saythename_17) által megosztott bejegyzés

So far, it was unknown what the group was doing in Budapest. Pénzcentrum now shared the news: Seventeen, an immensely popular Korean pop group with a huge fan base in Hungary, filmed one of their new music videos here, which accompanies one of the songs from their new mini-album released on 23 October.

The boys have also shared a lot of videos on social media from their stay in Budapest. For example, on their official TikTok channel, where they have a succession of music and dance performances recorded in public spaces in the capital city.

In an interview with TeenVogue, the group members emphasised how happy they were to have the opportunity to film in Budapest. They also talked about how the whole process was a lot of fun.

You can find Seventeen’s Instagram page HERE, their YouTube channel HERE (their music is also worth listening to!), and the music video they shot in Budapest below! (From 3.19, you can see an amazing scene filmed at the Szabadság Bridge)

Korean K-pop superstar JungKook’s mysterious visit to Budapest

JungKook in Budapest

BTS’s Jungkook arrived in Budapest with seven dancers and BigHit Music’s director of choreography.

As reported by sportskeeda.com, he boarded his plane yesterday at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport. In his homeland, he’s a singing sensation who has been breaking records since July 2023 when he released his solo single, SEVEN (feat. Latto).

Interestingly, he came to Budapest before the release of his second solo debut album, GOLDEN, scheduled for 3 November. X, formerly known as Twitter, is abuzz with searches and discussions about Budapest and JungKook. According to sportskeeda.com, there have been 18.6 thousand posts on the subject, and that number is just blowing up.

Fans are speculating why he has come to the Hungarian capital with a camera in hand.

Some speculate that he would like to film content for his personal YouTube channel, GOLDEN CLOSET FILMS. He regularly shares videos about his global travels. If he creates a promotional video about Budapest or Hungary, similar to what he did for the USA, we believe Hungarians will be pleased:

 

And HERE is another video about Helsinki, the capital of Finland.

No one knows why the Korean superstar is here

The artist filmed his pre-released singles from his SEVEN (feat. Latto) and 3D (feat. Jack Harlow) albums abroad, in Los Angeles and Kentucky. Therefore, it would not be surprising if he did the same for his new album in Budapest. Sportskeeda suggests that Budapest may serve as a backdrop for one of his music videos from the new GOLDEN album. This wouldn’t be surprising since even Hollywood and its stars often visit the Hungarian capital. HERE are their favourite restaurants.

And his fans are already talking about how beautiful the Hungarian capital is. We recommend two articles on the subject. HERE is one about where to go and what to explore when visiting Budapest. Meanwhile, you can read about the top 10 unusual things to do in the Hungarian capital in THIS article.

JungKook has not yet revealed why he came to Budapest on social media. But if you happen to have some information, please feel free to update us with a comment or an email.

Asian guest workers flood Hungary but Chinese, Korean plants may never start operation

guest worker from india hajdúnánás

Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians work in Western European countries for higher wages. Therefore, 60-80 thousand people are missing from Hungary’s labour market. As a result, the government made it easy to import Asian workforce to Hungary, but the Chinese plants those people come to may never start operation due to the significant problems of the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV). Meanwhile, the liberal leadership of Budapest seems to veto the employment of Phillippine bus drivers in the capital.

Guest workers coming to Hungary in large numbers

According to a Philippine newspaper, Hungary is “opening its doors to more than 6,000 factory and skilled workers in the Philippines”. That comes after almost 4 thousand Filipino workers came to Hungary in 2022. According to G7, the Hungarian government granted a shortcut for the employment of Filipino workers and protection for them. During the summer, news appeared about the planned employment of 10 thousand Phillippine workers.

Before, the Hungarian government was negotiating with Vietnam about attracting local workers to Hungary. The new workforce is needed for the new battery manufacturing plants the Chinese and South Koreans plan to build. The government supports that scheme because it believes the future lies in the e-cars, and despite an almost decade-long anti-migration campaign, they help foreigners to come to Hungary to work. Only the new CATL plant in Debrecen will need 9,000 employees from the beginning of 2025.

Read also:

  • Hungarian government paves the way for hundreds of thousands of guest workers – Read more HERE
  • Guest workers cause problems at Hungary’s best-known spa

Hungarian state railway network unsuitable for such capacities

However, there might be a problem with the new battery plants. According to hvg.hu, the Hungarian railway infrastructure did not follow the grandiose development plans. In contrast, MÁV’s railway network has been deteriorating for decades. That is why the government ordered the rapid renovation of a segment of the Vienna-Budapest line. However, all lines are devastated and overcrowded, so the new plants will not be able to transport goods easily. When the government attracted the investments to Hungary, that viewpoint was mitigated, but now it emerges with an overwhelming power.

Transport is essential for such investments. The raw material comes from Koper, Triest, Rijeka, Hamburg or Ukraine, while the products would also leave Hungary on the train. However, the Belgrade-Budapest train line project stopped because the Chinese and Hungarian companies could not build it properly, following the EU’s directives. Moreover, due to soaring inflation, costs grew sky-high, and the budget is empty. Therefore, the Chinese are worried about how they will transport goods. As a result, PM Orbán travels to Beijing to settle things with Xi Jinping.

Not everybody is happy because of the guest workers coming from Asia. RTL Klub asked locals in Hajdúszoboszló who said they were afraid of the Asian people, and the guest workers told the news outlet the same. Meanwhile, Arriva Bus, a German subcontractor providing drivers for Budapest’s transport company, BKV, said they would like to employ 20 Phillippines from 2024. However, the leadership of Budapest became outraged, and Deputy Mayor Ambrus Kiss said they would not allow the employment of Far Eastern drivers because allowing communication between the drivers and their passengers is crucial.

South Korea celebrates its National Day with special concert in Budapest

South Korea Hungary national day 2023 (2)

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea made their national day in Budapest a truly memorable one, as they hosted a grand reception to mark the special occasion, followed by a concert never seen before in Hungary at the Erkel Theatre on the evening of 21 September.

Nowadays, the Republic of Korea plays an important role in the Hungarian economy, and relations with the Asian country are accordingly very close. The Embassy organised an extremely high-quality event in Budapest, as in addition to the diplomatic standing reception, they also brought a concert to Budapest that is rarely seen in Europe.

The closed reception was attended by the entire Hungarian diplomatic corps, signalling that South Korea is highly regarded around the world. In his welcome speech, Korean Ambassador Hong Kyu Dok said that South Korea regards Budapest as a key economic partner. He stressed that in the 1990s, it was in the Central European region that investment first started to come to Hungary, and cooperation has been unbroken ever since. Thanks to the excellent partnership, more than 300 Korean companies are already operating in Hungary. What is more, in recent years, South Korea has become one of the largest foreign investors in Hungary. A good example of the close diplomatic relations is the recent talks between President Katalin Novák and her Korean counterpart, President Yoon Suk Yeol, in New York.

South Korea Hungary national day 2023 (2)
Korean Ambassador HE Hong Kyu Dok. Photo: Daily News Hungary

Prof. Dr. András Zs. Varga, President of the Curia, welcomed the guests and praised the close relations between the two countries. After the speeches, the reception included a tasting of several traditional Korean dishes.

At 7 PM, JONGMYO JERYEAK performed in front of a full house. The truly special performance brought the ancient ritual music and dance of the royalty of Korea to the Hungarian capital. Jongmyo jeryeak refers to the music and dance accompanying Jongmyo jerye, the ancient rituals performed at the royal shrine of the Jongmyo, the Joseon dynasty, which the Jongmyo performed for about six centuries.

Korean Cultural Festival will be held in Budapest

korean culture

The rich diversity of Korean cultural heritage will be presented at the Korean Cultural Festival in Budapest starting on 8 September.

Jeong Kwan, Seon Buddhist nun and chef as special guest

The festival’s concert series consist of various performances of traditional Korean music, kugak, presenting many different faces from the beginnings of “K-kugak” to the present day, writes turizmus,com. The Black String, led by Ho Jun Dzong, who plays the traditional Korean plucked zither (geomungo), performs at the House of Hungarian Music. The NAL project, led by Ri Hi Mun, who sings folk songs from the Gyeonggi Province, will also attract many Korean culture enthusiasts. In addition, the performers also include Pak Ji Ha, who fuses the traditional sounds of Korean instruments with contemporary beats.

Korean music history and instruments workshops

Pak Ji Ha will perform at the Erkel Theater as one of the European stops of the National Kugak Center’s world tour. They play Chongmyo Djerjak, which is the ritual music of the royal ancestors in the Chongmyo Confucian shrine. The Chongmyo Djerjak was added to the UNESCO list of intellectual cultural heritage in 2001. 54 musicians and 18 dancers take part in the spectacular 90-minute show in Budapest.

Various workshops on the history of Korean music and musical instruments await those interested in the Korean Cultural Center and the House of Traditions. The professionals of the Jintu National Kugak Center, founded in 2004, guide the participants into the world of K-kugak, which includes traditional Korean music and dance.

Korean Film Week

As part of the festival, the Korean Film Week will be held at the Korean Cultural Center. This time, the audience will be able to see two films focusing on Korean music and dance.

Nun Jeong Kwan will tell the audience about health preservation, respect for life and the essence of Korean temple cuisine based on the concept of sustainability. Guests can also join in the live presentations online.

Another huge battery plant to be built in Hungary

Battery plant Hungary

The investment will cost HUF 15 billion (EUR 39.2 million) for the Andrada Group, and the new plant will collect and exploit Samsung SDI’s and SK Battery’s Li-ion production scrap batteries.

According to portfolio.hu, the battery plant will be built in Alsózsolca, a village of approximately 5,500 inhabitants. The plant will be 60 thousand sqm and employ 70 people in three shifts with a capacity of 10 thousand tonnes.

They would store 40 tonnes of hazardous materials there, containing nickel, cobalt, and lithium. Before, the Hungarian authorities withdrew a similar company’s operation certificate because of irregularities, sicknesses and accidents. The village’s leadership gave the green light to the development and said Andrada would meet the strict German quality regulations.

Read also:

Hungary’s dwarf green party to submit amendment proposal to prevent Hungary from becoming ‘battery cemetery’

The opposition Parbeszéd-Greens is going to submit an amendment proposal to the waste management law in order to ensure that Hungary does not become a “battery cemetery”, the party’s co-leader and lawmaker said on Monday. Rebeka Szabó told an online press conference that the government strategy to make Hungary a “battery empire” was very risky because it requires huge amounts of water, energy and land. The party does not want Hungary to become a “battery disposal facility” and if the government plans are carried out, plenty of waste resulting from battery making could make its way to Hungary, even from other European locations, she added.

Rebeka Szabó:

Battery waste must be recycled and it would be best if Hungary, which has no sufficient amount of water and electricity, should not be forced to establish extra capacities for processing waste from batteries returned from abroad, she said. Authority regulations are not strict enough in Hungary for such an industry to operate safely, she said. The party is preparing to submit an amendment proposal to the law on waste management to stipulate that faulty batteries withdrawn from use abroad should not be returned to Hungary for re-processing, she added.

Featured image: illustration

Accidents, illnesses in battery plants in Hungary: new law comes?

Battery plant Hungary

The opposition LMP is submitting a proposal to parliament on tightening regulations on the permissions, controls and sanctions regarding battery plants.

Deputy group head Máté Kanász-Nagy told a press conference on Friday that the media lately abounded with reports of problems in battery plants including irregularities, environmental pollution and accidents. Authorities have found 40 instances of grave irregularities in the Samsung factory in God, in central Hungary, alone, he said.

LMP is submitting a draft proposal to parliament early next week, calling for stricter regulations on issuing permits for battery plants, and for strengthening authorities’ independence and resources to boost more effective controls, he said.

Read also:

Multiple accidents, sicknesses

Napi.hu wrote that in June, multiple workers became sick in the SK On Hungary Ltd’s battery manufacturing plant in Iváncsa. The reason was that the factory worked with toxic and carcinogenic materials. However, they forgot to report that to the state authorities. In their Komárom plant, 12 workers were taken to the hospital. In a reply to a Hungarian MP, they said they use NCM powder (nickel-cobalt-manganium-lythium-oxide) and electrolyte, both toxic and carcinogenic. Photo of the Iváncsa plant:

Meanwhile, Forbes wrote that the Nográd County Government Office suspended the activity of a battery processing plant in Bátonyterenye. The factory in South Korean ownership continuously broke operation and waste management rules.

Czechia to be guest of honour at 20 August art festival in Hungary

festival of folk arts

Czechia will be the guest of honour country at this year’s traditional Festival of Folk Arts organised in the Buda Castle between 18-20 August, the organisers said on Monday.

Craftsmen from Czechia will set up model workshops to present traditions in weaving, blue printing, embroidery, wool processing and wood carving to visitors, the organisers of the Festival of Folk Arts said in a statement.

At workshops, masters from the Republic of Korea will present calligraphy, the traditional Korean patchwork jogakbo and traditional decorative colouring on wooden buildings dancheong.

The festival will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hungary’s accession to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention. It will feature communities representing crafts included in the UNESCO National and Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage such as the Matyó embroidery, blue printing, lacemaking, the Szeged mule slides and the Busó-s of Mohács, among others.

South Korean delegation has talks in Budapest

south korea

Gergely Fábian, state secretary at the economic development ministry, met with a delegation of South Korean deputies for talks to discuss bilateral economic cooperation, in Budapest on Wednesday.

At their talks, the Hungarian state secretary and MPs Han Moo-kyung, Yu Eui-dong and Hong Kee-won exchanged views on developing the battery industry, promoting electric vehicles, as well as hydrogen-based transport, infrastructure, and energy supplies, said a statement from the ministry.

Hungary’s location and its current production capacities could “serve as a good basis to build a national hydrogen economy”, the statement added.

Fábian highlighted South Korea’s crucial role with regard to the Hungarian economy. In 2022, the country was Hungary’s largest investor, while 130 Korean companies “ensure the livelihood of 15,000 Hungarian families”, he added.

Minister: Koreans and Hungarians are relatives

korean culture

János Csák, Hungary’s cultural minister, talked about the deep relationship between Koreans and Hungarians at Tusványos, the summer university organised in Tusnádfürdő, Szeklerland, Romania.

According to telex.hu, Mr Csák said that Koreans are the relatives of the Hungarians. But they chose to go East from “Dzsungária”, while ancient Hungarians headed West. One of our common features is K-pop. Koreans got back songs from the Hungarians, and now they are happy, Csák said.

He added that the Hungarian government spends HUF 500 billion (EUR 1.32 billion) on cultural purposes. But he aims to terminate the Budapest-centricity of culture. About the USA, he said that the country does not have a common identity. Therefore, it is like a dead person whose nails keep growing, but who does not have a soul anymore.

NATO summit: PM Orbán urges peace over weapons in Ukraine

Viktor Orbán NATO

Peace, rather than weapons are needed in Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a video posted on Facebook on Tuesday.

The prime minister highlighted the Russia-Ukraine war as the most important topic on the agenda of the two-day NATO summit that began in Vilnius.

“The Hungarian position which we will be representing is unchanged: it is peace, rather than weapons, that should be delivered to Ukraine,” Orbán said, calling for a ceasefire and an urgent start to peace talks.

“The Hungarian position is clear, since the war is happening next door to us and because of the Hungarians living in Transcarpathia, tens of thousands of Hungarians are in direct danger,” he said.

Hungary wants NATO to stick to its earlier position, he said, arguing that NATO was a defence alliance. It was established to protect its member states, not to carry out military operations on other countries’ territories, Orbán said.

Hungary’s position is currently fully in line with that of NATO, as the alliance is not sending troops or weapons and is not training troops for combat, but is focused on bolstering the defence capabilities of its own members, he said.

“This is necessary, it is correct and Hungary will support this,” the prime minister said.

Orbán holds talks with S Korea President Yoon

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán discussed opportunities for boosting cooperation between Hungary and South Korea with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the sidelines of the ongoing NATO summit.

The two leaders were in agreement that South Korea has been one of the biggest foreign investors in Hungary in recent years, with the two countries having achieved new records in bilateral trade, Bertalan Havasi told MTI.

Orbán reaffirmed Hungary’s intention of further boosting economic ties in areas such as nuclear energy and the defence industry.

Orbán and Yoon highlighted their countries’ “deep-rooted” relations, saying Hungary and South Korea should further strengthen their cooperation in education and culture as well.

Szijjárto: Orbán , Erdogan discuss Sweden’s accession

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed Sweden’s accession to NATO and will continue to hold talks on the matter, the foreign minister said on Tuesday.
“A historic NATO summit is under way in Vilnius where we will most certainly succeed in making a responsible decision with which we will avoid escalating the war,” Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook.

Meanwhile, he said Ukraine was not getting either an invitation or a timetable to join the alliance.

Korean Cultural Festival in Budapest

korean culture

With traditional music and dance performances, workshops, craft activities and Korean food demonstrations, the KoreaON 2023 Korean Cultural Festival will take place on Friday and Saturday, 7 and 8 July, in Budapest at the Korean Cultural Centre.

During the two days in the theatre hall of the Korean Cultural Centre, visitors can try on Korean folk costumes, hanbok, learn some dance moves, play traditional instruments or even sing Korean melodies and try out the genre of K-pop, MTI reports.

In the classrooms, experts will introduce you to the Korean language, calligraphy, minhwa painting and Korean patchwork. In the craft workshops, anyone can make hanji paper bracelets or lotus flowers, for example. Children can try out traditional Korean games.

Gastronomy lovers can enjoy traditional Korean food demonstrations, tastings and mini workshops.

The event will feature experts showcasing innovative solutions from the Korean beauty industry. K-beauty stands in the community spaces will offer personalised beauty tips and the latest Korean beauty products.

Find the Facebook page of the event HERE. You can find the detailed programme of the event HERE.

The 65th Seoul International Book Fair opens with Sharjah as Guest of Honour

The 65th Seoul International Book Fair opens with Sharjah as Guest of Honour

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, hoisted the UAE’s flag high in celebration of Sharjah, the Guest of Honour at the 65th Seoul International Book Fair, which commenced with an inspiring Korean-Emirati cultural dialogue today (Wednesday). This vibrant cross-cultural exchange will continue to grow, flourish and inspire over the next four days until June 18, and testifies to the prestigious literary event’s deep appreciation for the emirate’s unparalleled expertise in translating the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to build bridges with nations and cities worldwide.

The book fair’s opening ceremony was held in the presence of HE Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah’s Government Relations Department (DGR) and head of the Sharjah delegation to Seoul; Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority Board (SBA); Sheikh Saud Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Digital Office; HE Kim Keon-hee, First Lady of the Republic of Korea; H.E. Abdulla Saif Ali Slayem AlNuaimi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; HE Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Cheol-ho Yoon, Chairman of the Korean Publishers Association and Chairman of Seoul International Book Fair;  and other senior officials and VIPs.

The Sharjah delegation includes 180 representatives from government institutions and UAE media, who as part of the emirate’s Guest of Honour programme, will advance His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah’s cultural project that fuels global cultural exchange by presenting fair visitors, publishers, educators, and others a vivid picture of the emirate’s successful experience in disseminating knowledge, art, and literature.

In his keynote speech, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, and head of the Sharjah delegation praised South Korea’s leading efforts to preserve its heritage, and also successfully adopt technology to immerse the world in its literature, culture, language, food and entertainment.

“It is something I understand very well because His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, has been leading Sharjah the same way,”

he further remarked adding that it is this very “vision for development of education, culture and knowledge while protecting our heritage, and a  vision to build innovation on the backbone of a strong and unique identity in a more and more homogenous global culture” that nurtures successive generations with a deep rooted mutual respect and understanding of other cultures.

In conclusion, the DGR Chairman said:

“The presence of Sharjah as a Guest of Honour at the Seoul International Book Fair raises a fundamental question for us: why are we here and what do we want to offer the Korean audience? We are not here just to showcase our publications, or our cultural, artistic and literary initiatives and events. We are here to participate in a cultural dialogue that contributes to enhancing civilisational exchange. We look forward to learning from South Korea’s experience in education, creativity, development and adopting advanced technologies. Our presence amongst you all reflects our deep faith in culture as a medium to know others, as a tool for learning, creativity and development, and as a value that upholds heritage, identity and belongingness.”

Bodour Al Qasimi: We share a common experience in investing in culture

For her part, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA said: “Sharjah and South Korea share a common experience in investing in culture to create a flourishing cultural scene that inspires the world and contributes to socioeconomic progress. For over five decades, the emirate has built a cultural environment centred around books and reading, based on its belief in the key role of books in developing nations and societies, particularly the younger generations. Sharjah’s openness to other cultures and peoples and our committed efforts to promote dialogue and understanding stems from this very belief in the positive influence of books and literature.”

“In every book fair, we have experienced magical moments of cultural curiosity, exchange and learning that have fostered respect for the nations we have visited. We always leave book fairs with the firm conviction that through these events we can promote peace, understanding and respect in this world. Book fairs are not just places to buy and sell books or exchange cultural knowledge. They are also key platforms to debate on issues and challenges we face as an industry and as a human family; two of them being climate change and sustainability,” she added.

The First Lady of South Korea welcomes Sharjah

In her keynote speech, Kim Keon-hee, First Lady of the Republic of Korea, expressed her happiness about hosting Sharjah at the book fair, and lauded its Guest of Honour programme featuring creative initiatives, cultural, artistic and literary events designed for the 5-day event. The First Lady warmly welcomed all participating Korean and international publishers, praising their influential role in supporting and developing the publishing and creative industries. Keon-hee also emphasised on the role of the Seoul Book Fair as a platform for cultural exchange and as a hub for learning about the latest trends in publishing, education, art and writing.

Book fairs represent the essence of human culture

For his part, Cheol-ho Yoon described book fairs as the crossing of an annual milestone for passionate readers  and cultural enthusiasts. He stated that the book fair in Seoul reflects the essence of human culture and the roots of Korean literature, and provides an opportunity to learn about other cultures. He also praised the role of publishers in contributing to peace and development in the world. He added: “We are grateful to Sharjah, our Guest of Honour, which enjoys a rich history of constructive cultural work that has earned the city a leading position in the cultural industry. We look forward to learning more about the emirate’s experiences and initiatives in spreading knowledge and dialogue among peoples”.

Sharjah pavilion inauguration

The opening day of the Seoul book fair witnessed the official inauguration of the Sharjah Guest of Honour pavilion. Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi and Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi accompanied the First Lady of the Republic of Korea, diplomats and senior officials from cultural, creative and media institutions in South Korea on a tour of the pavilion. Visitors were introduced to Sharjah’s leading projects in various fields including art, heritage, creative industries, translation and publishing. Officials were also briefed on the literary works from Sharjah on display, including literary works by His Highness The Ruler of Sharjah that visitors to the event can enrich their personal libraries with.

The Chairman of the Seoul International Book Fair accompanied Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, and the UAE delegation on a tour of the fair’s pavilions, where they engaged with publishers and learned about their latest releases in various fields, and exchanged conversations with, authors, and visitors from Korea, the UAE, and the world.

At the end of the opening ceremony, the Sharjah National Band performed a traditional Emirati song and dance on the main stage of the fair, showcasing aspects of the UAE’s heritage, culture and identity. The band demonstrated their skills in presenting folk dances that tell stories of the ancestral lifestyle of Sharjah residents and the UAE, which was well-liked by the audience.

33 activities by 13 cultural institutions

SBA, in collaboration with a number of cultural institutions in Sharjah, is organising a wide-ranging cultural programme that extends over five days and includes 33 events, including panel discussions, workshops, book signings, literary and artistic activities that reflect the heritage of the emirate and the UAE. The Sharjah pavilion will host Emirati and South Korean writers, creators, and academics who will participate in various events to enhance the emirate’s presence in the global cultural scene.

The cultural delegation led by SBA includes Sharjah’s Government Relations Department, Emirates Writers Union, Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Emirates Publishers Association, Emirates Reprographic Rights Management Association, Sharjah Archaeology Authority, the UAE Board on Books for Young People, Kalimat Group, House of Wisdom, Sharjah Department of Culture, and Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.

Economic development minister Nagy meets South Korean execs

south korea

Hungary is counting on South Korean companies when it comes to battery manufacturing, Economic Development Minister Márton Nagy said after meeting executives of four South Korean companies in his office on Monday.

Nagy met Ecopro Global Hungary president Sun Dong Chang, Samsung Electronics Hungary president Daniel Sont, SK On Hungary managing director Hang Ki Moon and Samsung SDI Hungary VP Hyun Jung, his ministry said.

Hungarian industrial policy with a focus on the electronics industry and battery production was the focus of the talks.

Hungary is set to become the fourth-biggest battery maker in the world, after China, the US and Germany, with a capacity of 250 GWh, enough to meet 35 percent of demand in Europe, the ministry said.

South Korean companies formed the biggest group of investors in Hungary last year, ploughing around 1,100 billion forints (EUR 3bn) into the country.

Fully 260 South Korean-owned companies employ 20,000 people locally.

As we reported today, new memorial site for deadly Hungarian boat tragedy, details HERE.

New memorial site for deadly Hungarian boat tragedy

A memorial site is being established at the premises of the Counter Terrorism Centre (TEK) in remembrance of the Hableány boat tragedy, said János Hajdu, the director general of TEK. On Sunday, they held a commemoration at the Pest-side abutment of Margit Bridge, on the fourth anniversary of the boat’s recovery.

The leaders of TEK laid wreaths at the memorial erected near the scene of the tragedy. This was the third time since 2019 that they remembered those who died, writes Index.

Source: MTI/Lakatos Péter

New memorial site

“There was a strong determination to create such a memorial site there. This was important not only for the leaders who were present, but also for all those involved in the rescue operation,”

emphasised Hajdu.

During the commemoration, the director-general reported that the investigation of the boat had concluded, and the dismantling had begun. They received some parts, which they are going to place in the memorial corner established within the TEK premises as symbols of the boat.

He mentioned that during the procedure, a tree sprouted from the hull of the boat. This was taken and was recently planted within the TEK premises, and will continue to grow there. According to their plans, they will commemorate the tragedy at both locations in the future.

Source: MTI/Kovács Attila
Source: MTI/Kovács Attila

The boating tragedy

The Hableány boat tragedy refers to a tragic incident that occurred on the evening of 29 May, 2019, in Budapest. It was a sightseeing boat carrying 33 South Korean tourists and a crew of two Hungarian members.

While sailing along the Danube River, at Margit Bridge, the Hableány collided with a larger cruise ship called the Viking Sigyn. The collision caused the ship to capsize and sink within a matter of seconds.

Out of the 33 South Korean tourists on board, authorities could only rescue 7. Two Hungarian crew members also lost their lives. One South Korean passenger was also reported missing and presumed to have perished in the accident.

The recovery efforts involved using a floating crane to bring the wreckage of the Hableány to the surface. The Counter Terrorism Centre played a coordinating role in the operation, which lasted for about seven hours.

The Hableány boat tragedy is one of the deadliest boating accidents in Hungary’s recent history. It has had a significant impact on the country. Furthermore, it led to investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident and highlighted the importance of improving safety measures and regulations in the boating industry.

Source: MTI/Lakatos Péter
Source: MTI/Lakatos Péter

South Korean House Speaker Kim Jin-pyo holds talks in Hungary

Orbán Kim Jin-pyo South Korea Hungary

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Monday met Kim Jin-pyo, the chairman of the National Assembly of South Korea. House Speaker László Kövér also received Kim Jin-pyo.

Orbán praised the friendly relations between the two countries, noting that South Korea “showed trust” in Hungary’s economy right after the regime change in 1989. “They believed in Hungary becoming a success story,” Orbán said.

Hungary will continue to support South Korean economic players, a practice that has made the east Asian country the largest investor in Hungary in the past few years.

Kövér meets South Korean counterpart

House Speaker László Kövér received Kim Jin-pyo.

At a joint press conference after the talks, Kövér said interparliamentary cooperation could give momentum to ties between Hungary and South Korea. He said strategic bilateral cooperation since 2019 was “the best example” for the benefits of Hungary’s Eastern Opening policy.

House Speaker László Kövér received Kim Jin-pyo
House Speaker László Kövér received South Korean counterpart Kim Jin-pyo in Budapest. Photo: MTI

The speakers discussed international challenges affecting the Hungarian economy and hundreds of South Korean companies in Hungary such as inflation and high energy prices, Kövér said, adding that seeking a resolution to those problems could open up new areas for cooperation.

Kim urged joint action by Hungary and South Korea in the international arena regarding the war in Ukraine and nuclear threats by North Korea. He called Hungary “the engine of central Europe” and one of the development centres of the European Union. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1989, Hungary and South Korea have strengthened their cooperation in a number of areas, not only in business but in culture and education as well, he said.

South Korea has become one of Hungary’s largest investors, while the turnover of bilateral trade has now reached 7 billion dollars, he added.

As we wrote on May, László Kövér traveled to Seoul for an official visit, details HERE.

House Speaker travelled to Hungary’s largest foreign investor – UPDATED

House Speaker Kövér in South Korea

László Kövér, the Speaker of Parliament, has arrived in Seoul for an official visit, Parliament’s press office said on Monday.

Kövér had talks with Chang-Yang Lee, the trade, industry and energy minister, and referred to South Korea as Hungary’s key strategic partner in the region … in terms of trade and investments”, adding that Hungary was committed to the further development of relations. In 2019 and 2021, South Korea was the largest foreign investor in Hungary, with investments worth more than 6.8 billion US dollars in 2020. In 2020, 130 Korean companies employed 15,206 people in Hungary, and the Hungarian government has strategic agreements with multiple Korean companies, he noted.

As well as the manufacture of machines, batteries and parts, Hungary wants to make use of cooperation opportunities in the areas of space research and nuclear energy, he said. In 2024, a meeting of the Hungary-Korea mixed economic committee will be held in Budapest, he further noted. Chang-Yang Lee said Hungary provided a stable and secure economic environment for South Korean companies, according to the parliamentary press office statement. The officials also discussed the training of industrial professionals in Hungary, and cooperation in the training of engineers.

 

met the head and members of the Korean-Hungarian friendship section of the Korean National Assembly, as well as those of the Korean Hungarian Friendship Society. Also, he visited the Liszt Institute in Seoul and was briefed about bilateral cultural relations. On Tuesday, the speaker will have official talks with Kim Jin-pyo, President of the Korean National Assembly.

Parliament speaker holds talks with S Korean counterpart

László Kövér, the speaker of Hungary’s parliament, met Kim Jin-pyo, his South Korean counterpart, for talks in Seoul, the press office of parliament told MTI in a statement on Tuesday. At the talks, Kövér called Hungary’s partnership with South Korea “a success story” in terms of building international relations. Hungarian-South Korean relations have steadily developed since 1989, the year when the two countries’ leaders made “a wise decision” to establish diplomatic relations, he said, adding that relations had by now been elevated to a strategic level.

The government’s foreign policy decision of opening to the east in 2010 has also been vindicated by the fact that South Korea has been the most active investor in Hungary over the past three years, Kövér said. The Hungarian speaker underlined the important role South Korea plays in connecting Hungary, central Europe and the whole of Europe with the eastern part of the Euro-Asian region. He said that in addition to regular cooperation between committees, friendship chapters and offices, Hungary’s parliament was ready to cooperate with South Korea in international organisations on promoting the protection of common values and interests.

Kövér welcomed the launch of direct flights between Budapest and Seoul in the summer which he said would hopefully help return bilateral business and tourism ties to a pre-pandemic level. He underlined the importance of education cooperation, noting state grants offered under the Stipendium Hungaricum scheme to 100 South Korean students in 2024. At the talks, Kim Jin-pyo said that South Korean investments in Hungary had boosted not only bilateral ties but the economic growth of his country as well. South Korea seeks to strengthen cooperation with Hungary also in the areas of education, science, culture and tourism, he said. Kim thanked the Hungarian government for supporting Pusan’s candidacy to host the 2030 world expo.

South Korean battery parts manufacturer to expand in Hungary

battery catl debrecen

Countries drawing investments of electric car manufacturers will be the “winners” of the new economic world order, Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on Friday.

Announcing the expansion of a plant of South Korean Sang-A Frontec, which manufactures plastic parts for electric car batteries, Szijjártó said South Korean companies are the fourth largest group of investors in Hungary. Bilateral trade jumped by 37 percent last year to nearly USD 7 billion, he said.

The HUF 10 billion (EUR 26.7 million) investment in Szada, near Budapest, has received a HUF 1.4 billion in government grant, and will create 55 jobs, he said.

Agriculture Minister: Rural Hungary undergone huge development since 2010

Thanks to the governance of Fidesz, Hungary’s rural areas have undergone progress since 2010 that “everyone should see”, Agriculture Minister István Nagy said on Friday, addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference in Budapest.

Nagy said the government had to “eliminate the anti-countryside leftist political legacy” which brought a dearth of jobs and resulted in the people moving away from rural areas and farmland falling into the hands of foreigners, and in the “dismantling of the food industry”.

After coming to power in 2010, Fidesz “set Hungarian rural areas on a growth path: it adopted one of the strictest land laws in Europe, and protected, and will always protect, the interests of Hungarian farmers,” Nagy said.

Strengthening the agriculture and rural areas bring about the prosperity of the whole country, he said.

Secure food supply is a matter of strategic and national security, as proven during the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine, he said. Hungary is currently able to supply twice its population with fresh, safe food, he said.

The government is working to establish a society based on a “functional division of labour” between cities and rural areas, he said.