Minister hold talks on Korea-Manipur ties

IMPHAL, Dec 31: To extend co-operation between Korea and Manipur in the field of culture, sports and economic, Education Minister of the State L Jayantakumar has met the Korean Ambassador at New Delhi and extended invitation for sending a Korean cultural troupe to Imphal in last week of February or first week of March next year.Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, Education Minister L Jayantakumar informed that he along with Director of Education (School) M Harekrishna and social activist Naoroibam Ratan have discussed the matters related to extension of co-operation between Korea and Manipur in the field of culture, sports and economy have been discussed during a joint meeting with Korean Ambassador Young Sun Paek, Cultural Secretary Spung-Ho Kin and Professor JK Kim at New Delhi recently.While informing that during the meeting, the Korean Ambassador has given his approval on opening up of a Korean studies faculty in Manipur University as well as on sending Korean teachers for providing a 6-month Korean language training course in school education, the Minister said necessary expenses would be bore by the Korean authority.The Minister also informed that he would be meeting the authorities of Manipur Univrsity in connection with opening of the Korean studies faculty.Stating that the outcome of the meeting with the Korean Ambassador was positive, the Minister said the same has also been conveyed to the Chief Minister.‘‘He (Chief Minister)was very happy with the development’’, the Education Minister added.As to extension of co-operation between Korea and Manipur in the field of cultual, sports and economy during the meeting, the Minister informed that the the Korean Ambassador appreciated the matter and requested for submitting a concrete proposal in this regard.The State Government has only made an approach to the Korean Ambassador, no formal agreement has signed in this connection, the Minister added.Towards extension of co-operation in the culture, an invitation for sending a cultural troupe from Korea to Imphal sometime in last week of February or last week of March next year had been extended, the Education Minister informed, adding that one Kokyet (traditional Manipuri turban) a basket of Oranges from Tamenglong district of Manipur have been presented to the Korean Ambassador during the meeting.