The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Moustafa Waziri, and Kim Hyun-Mo, the Head of the South Korean Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for co-operation between the two countries in antiquities and museums.
The memo came within the framework of the recent official visit of the South Korean President Moon Jae-in to Egypt.
President Moon Jae-in’s visit to Cairo is the first by a South Korean president in 16 years and came in light of the partnership that has signed between Cairo and Seoul in 2016 during President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s visit to Seoul.
The MoU was aimed to establish policies for the sustainable preservation of cultural property, supporting joint co-operation in the fields of antiquities and museums, as well as exchanging expertise between specialists from both countries.
Under the MoU, both countries will collaborate in the fight against illegal trafficking of cultural items.
Cairo and Seoul agreed to exchange experiences in the field of sunken antiquities. The two sides agreed to boost archaeological and museum work through organising training courses, workshops, seminars, and joint conferences.
The SCA and CHA are keen to boost co-operation in the exchange of archaeological excavations, including conducting archaeological surveys and preservation works for the discovered pieces.
Work is under way on the use of modern technology in the fields of archaeological and museum work, as well as registering archaeological sites on the World Heritage List.
Waziri stressed Egypt’s confidence in the experience of the South Korean side in the field of antiquities restoration and technology.
He explained that the first activation of the agreement would be the restoration work of the first edifice in the Ramesseum Temple in Luxor.
