Korean Community Association Bangladesh (KCAB) is going to celebrate “Korea Week 2023” in February to mark the 50th anniversary of Korea-Bangladesh diplomatic relations with the first K-pop band live concert in Dhaka.
Korean Community Association, along with Korea Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KBCCI) and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), is organizing the event, said KCAB Chairman Yong Oh Yu at a press conference at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh on Wednesday.
Boy group “TAN” and girl group “ICU” along with Korean martial art Taekwondo performance team “Nolja” will perform at International Convention City Bashundhara on February 25.
Apart from the concert, Korea-Cup Golf Tournament, culture experience activities and showcasing Korean products and culture will be displayed on this occasion from February 25 to March 3.
The week-long event will start at 10am and continue till 7pm.
Dhaka TribuneHow to purchase Kpop band tickets?
Tickets for Kpop Live Concert (including Taekwondo performance) will be available on the website www.KOREAWEEK2023.COM from this week.
Korea Cup Golf Tournament will be held at Kurmitola Golf Club, Dhaka cantonment on March 1-2 and an award show will be presented on March 3.
50 years of Bangladesh-Korea relations
Ambassador of Korea Lee Jang-keun said at the press briefing: “It is great to see the Korean community in Bangladesh has voluntarily organized this big event in honour of the historic 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Bangladesh.”
He further mentioned: “The embassy, along with KBCCI and other Korea-related organizations including KOTRA, KOICA, Korea Eximbank, and KIND, will endeavour to successfully carry out multiple events in that name of “Korea Week 2023” to provide more business and entertainment opportunities to Bangladeshi business society and K-Culture lovers.”
Emphasizing that bilateral trade volume reached an all-time high of $3.4 billion in 2022, Ambassador Lee said that Korea pointed out that he is committed to developing economic relations between the two countries, and to that end, “Showcase Korea 2023” will be a significant momentum as both business society could find more collaboration.
Yong Oh Yu, chairman of the Korean Community in Bangladesh, stated that Korea recognized the newly independent Bangladesh in May 1972, and that consular connections were established in September 1973, followed by diplomatic relations in December 1973.
"South Korea is considering introducing big Korean companies such as Samsung and Hyundai to Bangladesh to engage in construction, engineering, electronics, and autos as Bangladesh improves its investment environment and expands its market base," stated Yong Oh Yu.
KBCCI Advisor Sahab Uddin Khan, Managing Director of LG Electronics Youngil Ko, Chairman of Fair Group Ruhul Amin Al Mahbub, Managing Director of Young Group Bangladesh Shaikh Shahinur Rahman, Regional Head of the Woori Bank Niaz Uddin Khan, among others, spoke at the press briefing.
Korean Investment in Bangladesh
Korea is Bangladesh's fifth largest FDI investor, with $1.3 billion invested. Almost 200 Korean companies have already invested in various sectors starting from RMG. Recently, its investment has been diversified to include infrastructure, energy, and consumer goods such as electronics, thereby contributing to the further expansion of bilateral collaboration.
The South Korea International Trade Association (SKITA) estimates that the two nations' bilateral trade volume reached $3.035 billion in 2022, a 38.71% increase from $2.188 billion the year before.
Since establishing diplomatic ties between Korea and Bangladesh in 1973, Korea has been enhancing cooperation with Bangladesh in various fields, such as economy, culture, politics, garment, electronics, development cooperation, and human exchange.
Events of Korea Week 2023
To celebrate and propel economic success and celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the Korean Community Association is preparing “Korea Week 2023” at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) and Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka from February 25 to March 3, 2023 with a slogan “Stay Strong March Together.”
Dhaka TribuneA profusion of festivals and events will mark the 50th anniversary with a view to deepening and promoting more opportunities, building up consolidated economic relationships, and strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.
In “Showcase Korea” (demonstration and display of Korean goods; February 25-26), more than 40 companies will participate, for which event LG will serve as the lead sponsor.
For Kpop Teams Live Concert on February 25 through Samsung Galaxy sponsorship, Boy Group “TAN” and Girlgroup “ICU” along with Korean martial art Taekwondo performance team “Nolja” will come to Dhaka to entertain Bangladesh Kpop fans.
In addition, various cultural experience activities (throughout the week sponsored by KOICA), Korean food, electronic products, Korean tourism information will be introduced to Bangladesh people.