Exhibit aiming to introduce North Korean artists opens in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

An exhibition aiming to promote North Korean artists has been opened in Istanbul’s Şişli district, Doğan News Agency reported on Dec. 27.

The exhibition was attended by North Korean Consul General Jang Jong Su.

“This is the first exhibition we co-organized with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” said Tulga Ozan, owner of the Before the World Changes travel agency.

The exhibition put together with the support of Jang was put on display on Dec. 21 and was originally planned to last for four days. Upon popular demand, however, the end date was extended to Jan. 15, Ozan said.

The exhibit consists of 60 works and has an objective to overcome prejudices people have against the East Asian republic.

“As I traveled, I got to form personal relationships and see how hospitable these people are. Also, consuls who paid visits here invited us to visit their country so that we can overcome the misconceptions and so that visitors can observe the country for themselves,” Ozan added.

Jang is the Consul General of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in Turkey but resides in Bulgaria.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry says on its website that the scope of bilateral relations between Turkey and North Korea is limited.

“Diplomatic relations between the two countries are based upon the Memorandum of Understanding signed on 15 January 2001 in Beijing,” the official statement added.

The last round of political consultations between the Turkish and North Korean foreign ministries were held on Sept. 8, 2011 in Ankara, with a view to contribute to peace and stability in the region.

The ministry said Turkey occasionally provides humanitarian assistance to North Korea without violating U.N. Security Council resolutions.