Korean products in the spotlight<\/p>\n
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
As over 20 minutes of dynamic moves and music came to a climax,
\nfive male Koreans, performing the traditional dance, Samul Noli,
\nstopped suddenly, with several seconds of silence preceding
\nthunderous applause.<\/p>\n
\"This is one opportunity to introduce our culture to
\nIndonesians, so that Korea and Indonesia can continue to have
\ngood relations and understanding,\" said the Embassy of Korea's
\npress and cultural attache, Kim Sang-sool.<\/p>\n
The Korean traditional dance emotes the happiness of villagers
\nafter a successful harvest. Its performance on Saturday was but
\none of several events at the opening of the month-long Korean
\nFestival at D'Best Supermarket on Jl. Fatmawati, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
During the festival it is hoped that Indonesians will be
\nintroduced to the hundreds of Korean products on offer -- which
\nrange from instant food to fruits to accessories -- and that
\nKorean expatriates living in the capital will have the chance to
\nstock up on their favorite products from home.<\/p>\n
Kim Woo-jae, chairman of PT Koin Bumi, the sole supplier of
\nKorean products in Indonesia, hoped that the festival would
\npopularize Korean products here, which, in turn, would strengthen
\ntrade relations between the two countries.<\/p>\n
\"Trade between Indonesia and Korea is growing fast. Korea is
\none of Indonesia's five biggest trade and investment partners. It
\nis time to introduce our retail products to Indonesians,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He added that, by holding the festival, Korean citizens
\nworking in various industries in Indonesia, such as automotive,
\ntile and ceramics, and electronics industries, could compare
\ntheir products with those of their home country.<\/p>\n
\"There are over 30,000 Koreans here, and most of them live in
\nJakarta, particularly South Jakarta. So, they will need Korean
\nproducts,\" Kim said.<\/p>\n
D'Best director Stephen Sulaiman agreed, saying that after the
\nfestival ended on Dec. 26, similar festivals would be staged in
\nthe supermarket's two other branches in Kelapa Gading, North
\nJakarta, and Cikokol, Tangerang.<\/p>\n
A Korean girl, who attended the festival, welcomed the event,
\nsaying she had found it difficult to find Korean products,
\nincluding instant noodles, in local supermarkets.<\/p>\n
\"I live nearby. I'm glad that finally I can get them (the
\ninstant noodles) in my neighborhood,\" she said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/korean-products-in-the-spotlight-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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