Reviving a Millennia-old Connection: India and South Korea's Cultural Ties

In a notable diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday spotlighted the ancient cultural bond between India and South Korea, vividly illustrated by the tale of Ayodhya's Princess Suriratna and Korean King Kim Suro. Speaking during a joint press conference with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at Hyderabad House, Modi underscored the growing appreciation of Korean pop culture in India, and conversely, the increasing resonance of Indian cinema and culture in South Korea.

Highlighting an enduring story of cross-continental unity, Modi referred to the legend chronicled in the Korean text 'Samguk Yusa'. It narrates the extraordinary voyage of Princess Suriratna, later crowned as Queen Heo Hwang-ok in Korea, uniting with King Kim Suro, marking an epoch of shared heritage between the two nations. A memorial built in her honor in 2001 in Gimhae city stands as a testament to this historical linkage.

To further cement these cultural ties, India and South Korea signed several MoUs focusing on cultural and creative industries. Modi announced plans to host the India-Korea Friendship Festival in 2028 and emphasized promoting education, research cooperation, and tourism to foster deeper people-to-people connections, thus paving the way for future collaborative success stories.