Minister Choi Kwang-shik of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) said his ministry will make sure that the Year of Imjin —  the black dragon —  will be the first year of the government's bid to ensure the resurgence of "hallyu," or the Korean Wave. 

In his New Year message, MCST Minister Choi said, "The government will passionately implement culture policies with the goal of becoming a greater Republic of Korea, being created by culture." To this end, he stressed that Korea will make the most of hallyu. 

Describing hallyu as a key word for integrating the MCST's diverse responsibilities Choi said, "Strung with the silk thread of hallyu, a variety of precious beads such as traditional Korean hallyu, sports hallyu, tourism hallyu, and content hallyu will be made into a wonderful necklace." 

He maintained that the destination of hallyu is beyond Asia, and Korea has a pending task of constructing the starting point of the so-called New Silk Road, which will communicate and mingle with each other in the cultural, economic, and political fields via hallyu.

"Korea should develop hallyu content filled with creativity and dynamics based on the 5,000-year history of accumulated culture, and this year will be the first year of its bid to ensure the resurgence of hallyu across the world," he said.   nw