DiplomaticQuarter: Seoul’s envoy discusses Saudi-Korean ties with Shoura Council committee
Updated 02 June 2022
Arab News
RIYADH: Park Joon-yong, South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, met with the Shoura Council’s Saudi-Korean Parliamentary Friendship Committee, headed by its Chairman Maj. Gen. Ali bin Mohammad Al-Asiri, to discuss ways to further enhance bilateral relations.
“During the meeting, Al-Asiri highlighted the depth of Saudi-Korean relations, pointing out the need for joint work to strengthen and develop them in various fields, especially the … relationship between the Shoura Council and the Korean Parliament,” the council said in a statement to Arab News.
The Korean ambassador praised the Saudi Vision 2030 reform program, and said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to South Korea in 2019 opened up prospects for greater cooperation between the two countries.
During this week’s meeting, the two sides stressed the need to initiate parliamentary visits between the two countries.
In January, South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited Riyadh and held talks with the crown prince.
They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including healthcare, science and technology.
The Shoura Council’s parliamentary friendship committees work to strengthen ties between the council and the parliaments of friendly countries.
Jeddah Book Fair set to showcase rising Saudi literary scene
This year’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage, with over 170 events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops
Updated 09 December 2025
Arab News
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission is preparing to host the Jeddah Book Fair from Dec. 11 to 20 at Jeddah Superdome, bringing together more than 1,000 local and international publishing houses and agencies from 24 countries across 400 booths.
Held under the slogan “Jeddah Reads,” the fair is part of the commission’s “Saudi Reads” campaign, which seeks to strengthen the Saudi literary landscape by encouraging reading and creating meaningful engagement between authors and audiences.
Jeddah Book Fair’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage. (Supplied/@saudibookfairs)
Dr. Abdullatif Al-Wasil, CEO of the commission, said the Jeddah Book Fair reflects the leadership’s continued commitment to cultural development and the rapid growth of the Kingdom’s literature, publishing and translation sector.
He highlighted the fair’s interactive programs for publishers, authors, translators and the public, which are designed to enhance content quality, support creative development and foster knowledge partnerships.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Jeddah Book Fair seeks to strengthen the Saudi literary landscape by encouraging reading and creating meaningful engagement between authors and audiences.
• It will host prominent writers, thinkers and cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad, offering a 10-day schedule of literary, intellectual and scientific events.
• The fair will continue to support emerging Saudi voices through the Saudi Authors’ Corner for self-published writers.
The event also reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a cultural hub attracting major publishers, content creators and investors.
This year’s cultural program reflects the Kingdom’s heritage, with over 170 events including lectures, panel discussions and workshops. A dedicated children’s zone will feature literary and entertainment activities tailored to young visitors, along with competitions to inspire reading and creativity.
The fair will host prominent writers, thinkers and cultural figures from Saudi Arabia and abroad, offering a 10-day schedule of literary, intellectual and scientific events.
Book-signing stations will give readers the chance to meet their favorite authors, while cultural organizations, community groups and universities will present their latest publications and initiatives.
A manga and anime zone will highlight collectibles from the genre, alongside specialized books. A discounted books section will also be available to promote wider access to reading.
The fair will continue to support emerging Saudi voices through the Saudi Authors’ Corner for self-published writers, where hundreds of titles across literary and cultural fields will be showcased, underscoring the fair’s role in nurturing local talent and enriching the Kingdom’s evolving literary scene.
