MoS I&B Dr. L. Murugan Concludes Successful Visit to South Korea; Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation in Media, Entertainment, Gaming and Digital Innovation
MoS I&B Dr. L. Murugan Concludes Successful Visit to South Korea; Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation in Media, Entertainment, Gaming and Digital Innovation
Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, concluded a successful multi-city visit to the Republic of Korea from 22–24 September 2025, further deepening India–Korea collaboration in the fields of media, entertainment, culture, gaming, and emerging technologies.
The visit, organized around India’s strong participation in the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and the Asia Contents & Film Market (ACFM), included a series of high-level meetings, industry roundtables, cultural events, and community interactions.
1. Roundtable on India’s Creative Economy and Co-Production Collaboration (22 September, Busan)
Dr. Murugan chaired a high-level roundtable hosted in partnership with the Busan Film Commission (BFC) on the sidelines of BIFF. The session brought together government representatives and global industry leaders to deliberate on policy frameworks, co-production treaties, financing mechanisms, and distribution partnerships. The roundtable underlined India’s growing role as a co-production hub and its ambition to deepen creative exchanges with Korea and global partners.
A high-level roundtable on India’s Creative Economy & Co-production Collaboration & Incentives was held on 22nd September in partnership with Busan Film Commission (BFC) at BIFF, South Korea
Under the leadership of Dr. L. Murugan @DrLMurugan, government officials, and industry… pic.twitter.com/B2Ak74z96W
2. Bharat Parv & Networking Dinner: Waves Bazaar Showcase (22 September, Busan)
The Ministry of I&B, through its WAVES and WAVES Bazaar platforms, hosted Bharat Parv – a cultural showcase and networking evening themed “A Journey through Indian Culture, Creativity and Connect”.
Attended Bharat Parv at the 30th Busan International Film Festival. Organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Bharat Parv showcased India’s rich cultural heritage, including music, dance, and cuisine. The event was pivotal in fostering a cultural connect between… pic.twitter.com/gkxuBwCMHo
The event drew over 250 dignitaries, including Mr. Park Kwang-su, Chairperson of BIFF; Ms. Ellen Y.D. Kim, Director of ACFM; and Mr. Kang Sung-kyu, Director of BFC.
In his remarks, Dr. Murugan emphasized India’s commitment to cultural diplomacy, highlighting the strong Indian representation at BIFF 2025 with 10 Indian projects showcased and 5 projects selected for the co-production market at ACFM.
3. Parliamentary and Government Engagements (24 September, Seoul)
Discussions with Ms. Kim Jae-won and Mr. Jin Jong-oh centered on strengthening the India–Korea Co-production Agreement, addressing issues of piracy and content protection, and exploring cooperation in AI, blockchain, and content management. A Joint Working Group was proposed to advance dialogue on M&E collaboration.
Dr. L. Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting met Rep. Ms. Kim Jae-won & Rep. Mr. Jin Jong-oh, Hon’ble members of the Culture, Sports and Tourism committee of the RoK National Assembly on 24 September 2025.
Discussions held on strengthening… pic.twitter.com/0pV4DY6vdt
Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, @DrLMurugan, held an engaging meeting with Members of the Korea–India Parliamentary Friendship Group on 24th September 2025 in Seoul, South Korea.
The discussions focused on further strengthening the partnership between India and… pic.twitter.com/wDLXgXS8Ir
4. Industry Engagement: Meeting with Krafton CEO (24 September, Seoul)
Dr L Murugan met Mr. Changhan Kim, Global CEO of Krafton Inc., one of the world’s leading gaming companies. The discussion focused on India’s recently enacted legislation on online gaming, promotion of e-sports, and talent development through institutions like the Indian Institute of Creative Technology. Krafton expressed keen interest in expanding investment in India and partnering in game development, research, and skill training, recognizing India’s young demographic and vibrant digital ecosystem.
5. Media Partnerships: Meeting with Korea Herald (24 September, Seoul)
The Minister held discussions with Mr. Jin-young Choi, President & Publisher of The Herald Media Group (Korea Herald/Herald Business), focusing on enhanced media collaborations, cultural awareness, and co-creation of content.
Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, @DrLMurugan, had a meeting with Jin-young Choi, President & Publisher of The Herald Media Group (Korea Herald/Herald Business), on September 24, 2025.
They discussed ways to enhance potential collaboration in the area of… pic.twitter.com/6PsCb9Cr53
6. Indian Community Interaction (24 September, Seoul)
At a special diaspora event hosted at the Embassy of India, Dr. Murugan lauded the contribution of the Indian community in Korea towards strengthening bilateral relations. He underlined Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” and India’s progress towards becoming a Viksit Bharat.
He highlighted India’s global digital leadership through innovations such as UPI-based digital payments and emphasized the importance of diaspora as partners in India’s growth story.
India–Korea Creative Synergies
The visit underscored the Government of India’s proactive cultural diplomacy and vision to position India as a global content hub. Initiatives such as WAVES and WAVES Bazaar, along with flagship programmes like Bharat Parv, continue to expand India’s creative footprint, encourage cross-border collaborations, and open new avenues for co-production, gaming, and digital innovation.
Dr. Murugan extended invitations to Korean parliamentarians, media leaders, and industry representatives to participate in the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be held in Goa from 20–28 November 2025, further strengthening India–Korea people-to-people and industry connect.
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Dharmendra Tewari \ Navin Sreejith