NEWS

Korea Extends Support for Pakistan’s Efforts to Preserve Buddhist Heritage

By Craig Lewis | | Buddhistdoor Global

The Republic of Korea’s embassy in Pakistan has donated US$50,000-worth of state-of-the-art equipment for the conservation and preservation of Buddhist artifacts, and announced a pilot pilgrim tour of ancient Buddhist sites in the country, scheduled to take place in March or April this year. “The equipment will surely be instrumental in promoting [Pakistan’s] capacity to conserve its cultural heritage to the international level,” South Korean ambassador Kwak Sung-kyu said at a handover ceremony at the Islamabad Museum on 15 February. “The project has been administrated jointly by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation, and the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Pakistan, with the common aim.” (Dawn)

The senior diplomat emphasized that friendly cultural ties between the two countries were founded in the shared heritage and history of Buddhism, which would be of particular importance for further cementing bilateral relations going forward. Kwak noted that numerous joint projects had already been successfully organized in the last two years, including a seminar title Hyecho in Gandhara: Footsteps of a Korean Monk in Pakistan in the Eighth Century, held in Islamabad in October last year, and an exhibition of Gandharan art titled Alexander the Great Meets the Buddha, which was held in Seoul from June to September 2017. “The Republic of Korea and its embassy in Pakistan are committed to increase relations with Pakistan for the preservation of cultural heritage and to promote tourism in Pakistan,” said Kwak. “As part of [these] cooperative efforts, the Korean government has provided conservation equipment for treating and preserving Pakistan’s movable heritage—especially specimens of Buddhist art uncovered from the archaeological remains of Buddhist sanctuaries in the ancient Gandhara region.” (Dawn)