Korean Cultural Service Emphasizes Nationís Distinct Features by Heather Nalbone When the Korean Cultural Service was founded by the Korean Embassy in the early 1990s, the mission was to promote the countryís culture and to foster understanding between Koreans and Americans. Several ambassadors and two Korean presidents later, the mission is the same. The embassy-affiliated organization is just a little bigger. There is nothing assuming or distinctive about the three-story brick building on Massachusetts Avenue NW. Nor is there anything particularly charming or ornate inside, save perhaps the track lighting and wooden beams on some of the ceilings. Itís what the organization inside does thatís significant. ìEveryone here puts in a strong effort to show the difference between Korean and other Asian countries,î said program coordinator Gregory Shook. ìKorea is often lumped together with Japan and China, but it does have a distinct flavor and culture, whether through the food or the arts.î With a staff of eight full-time employees, the organization hosts monthly art exhibits and film screenings, and sponsors various concerts and musical performances throughout the city. Although some featured artists are American, performances and exhibits typically showcase the talent of Korean and Korean-American artists. The showís latest exhibit, ìComing Together,î which finished up on June 26, celebrated the centennial of Korean emigration to the United States with a display of ceramic and pottery pieces created by several local artists. Monthly exhibits and events are the focal point of cultural organizations representing countries of similar sizes. Yet the Korean Cultural Service stands out. A decade after its start, the organization boasts a 50-seat auditorium equipped for slide and film presentations, several conference rooms, and a 4,500-volume library of books, journals and videos dedicated to Korean history, economics and culture. All of this is free and open to the public, thanks to annual government funding. Even the organizationís semester language courses are indicative of its dedication to expanding cultural awareness. At a total cost of $175 for both classes and textbooks, semester programs are roughly half the price of even the low-cost USDA courses. The organization started out as the Korean Information Center in 1993, founded as a division of the Embassy of Korea in an attempt to spread recognition of both the country and its culture among Washington-area residents. The cultural center now works as a separate branch with its own staff and office building. As the Republic of Korea finds itself increasingly on the radar of American foreign policy, those at the cultural center hope current events will serve to attract more residents to use its facilities. Already, the roster of language students currently enrolled for the summer semester is the biggest ever. ìKorea is popular now in the news,î Shook said. ìIt always has been, but maybe is not as well known to Americans. We work really hard to change that.î The Korean Cultural Service is located one block from the Korean Embassy at 2370 Massachusetts Ave., NW. For more information, please call (202) 797-6343 or e-mail gregorys@koreaemb.org. Heather Nalbone is a contributing writer for The Washington Diplomat.