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South Korea renews old links with Ayodhya

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow

It is not only fundamentalist Hindus who have claims on the ancient town of Ayodhya. For the South Koreans have discovered an age-old link between the famous Hindu temple town and their own land.

And the first step towards revival of cultural ties was taken today with the arrival of a 13-member delegation from South Korea's Kimhae city in Ayodhya.

The delegation announced the Korean government's decision to build a monument in memory of the one-time Ayodhya princess, Hoor Hwang Oak, who, according to historical records, was married to the ruler of Korea in 1 AD.

This discovery was made following extensive research carried out at the behest of the powerful Kimhae Kim family in South Korea. "Be it the president, prime minister or even the local mayor, each one of them has their roots in the Kimhae Kim family", disclosed Shailesh Krishna, UP's cultural affairs secretary.

The South Korean government said it was keen on first setting up a memorial in the temple town, which they propose to develop into a "sister city" of Kimhae. Together with Ayodhya, the Koreans plan to bring invest in the modern industrial complex of Greater NOIDA.

According to an official spokesman, the delegation, led by Kimhae mayor Song Eun-Bok, will spend yet another day in Ayodhya, before moving to to Lucknow.

A protocol is also signed to promote social and cultural ties between the two nations.

A member of the Indian delegation said the protocol aimed "to encourage cultural or social activities like exhibitions and fairs that would help the people of both the countries to get to know their cultures more closely."

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