K-Pop Sensation BTS To Perform In Qatar, Says Envoy

(MENAFN- Gulf Times)

Internationally renowned South Korean K-pop (Korean popular music) boy band BTS, is expected to visit and perform in Doha this year, possibly in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, ambassador Lee Joon-ho has said.
The plan, according to the envoy, forms part of the embassy's efforts to promote Korean culture, as well as enticing more Koreans to visit Qatar in the upcoming prestigious football tournament, scheduled from November 21 to December 18.
Speaking to reporters recently, he said that South Korean team's qualification for this edition of the World Cup will attract more Korean visitors, in addition to the huge number of football fans from around the world.

Visa exemption treaty Koreans and Qataris can visit each other's country without visa for 30 days. Talks are underway to conclude the visa exemption treaty between the two countries to extend the period to 90 days, South Korean ambassador Lee Joon-ho said.

Joon-ho said the embassy is also planning to hold many cultural, as well as taekwondo, events in the lead up to the tournament, bringing cultural and athletic performers from South Korea.
'This aims to further strengthen our cultural ties and people to people exchanges with Qatar and serves as the bedrock of strengthening our bilateral ties, he said. 'This year is a significant year for both countries to strengthen relationships.'
The envoy also announced that Busan's hosting of the World Expo 2030 is a perfect fit to connect the Euro Asia continent and the Pacific.
It is learnt that Busan, which has an extensive experience of hosting large-scale and major international events such as the Asian Games in 2002 and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in 2006, is 'well-placed, well-developed, and well-experienced' to host the expo. It is also a center of technological research for eco-friendly mobility, shipbuilding and hydrogen energy.
About bilateral trade, the embassy noted that trade volume between South Korea and Qatar was $12bn in 2021 based on the statistics of Korea International Trade Association.
Bilateral cooperation in the field of energy remained to be on top of this relation, citing Qatar's export of LNG to South Korea.
The trade volume between the two countries in 2021saw 52% increase from that of 2020 ($7.9bn). In 2021, South Korea's exports to Qatar was $420mn and Qatar's exports to Korea was $11.6bn.
The major commodities from South Korea to Qatar in 2021 are: (1) wire and cable ($66mn), (2)construction machinery ($53mn), (3) cars ($46mn),
The items exported from Qatar to South Korea in 2021 are (1) natural gas ($6.3bn), (2) oil ($3.5bn), (3) petrochemical products ($1.3bn).
While bilateral relations between Qatar and South Korea remains solid, Joon-ho said that such cooperation extends beyond energy and construction.

MENAFN10062022000067011011ID1104356592