Новости
Book co-authors SCA Managing Partner, core team member host roundtable discussion on Russian - South Korean cultural relations
20/03/2026
On Mar 19, 2026, at the Korean Cultural Center in Moscow, SCA Managing Partner Andrew Afanasiev and long-time real estate and retail trade project stream lead, Korean studies expert Anna Stebenkova held a 5-hour-long roundtable discussion on Russian - South Korean cultural and humanitarian exchanges, titled "Dialogue of Cultures: Present and Future". In Sep 2025 Andrew and Anna published the book "Russia and Republic of Korea: Continuous Dialogue of Cultures", commemorating the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in Sep 1990.
The event featured an opening session with speeches from Ambassador of Republic of Korea (RoK) to Russia Lee Sok-bae; rector of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), one of the book's 4 sponsors, Anatoly Torkunov; special presidential envoy on international cultural cooperation, former Russian culture minister Mikhail Shvydkoy; former Russian Ambassador to RoK Konstantin Vnukov, and the book's two co-authors. Certificates of gratitude from the RoK Embassy were presented by Ambassador Lee Sok-bae to the authors. Following a banquet and networking break, a roundtable discussion was held, broken down into three panels. The event was attended by around 55 people from relevant academic and research institutions, government bodies, cultural organizations and businesses in related areas from both countries.
The roundtable section featured speeches by renowned experts in respective areas of art, cinema, education, language studies, publishing, national cuisine, tourism, video games, cartoons, webtoons, and etc., as well as senior representatives of the vast ethnic Korean diaspora in Russia. The lively discussions and Q&A sessions continued well past scheduled hours, but it appears participants simply would not be phased, with most preferring to stay on till the end.
We strongly believe in the power of intercultural dialogue in building bridges and ensuring mutual understanding between nations, even in the face of possible political differences. We want to thank all the speakers and distinguished guests who made this a truly memorable and mutually enriching experience.
The book's co-authors previously made speeches on topics explored in the book at various other events, including key bilateral forums and roundtables, and also had an interview published in the Oct 2025 issue of the Russian Koreans newspaper.
SCA Managing Partner, key team member co-author book on Russian - South Korean cultural ties and intercultural dialogue
13/10/2025
In September SCA Managing Partner Andrew Afanasiev and long-time real estate and retail trade project stream lead, Korean studies expert Anna Stebenkova jointly published a book commemorating the 35th anniversary of Russian - South Korean diplomatic relations (Sep 30, 2025). The book, titled "Russia and Republic of Korea: Continuous Dialogue of Cultures", examines the development and current status of bilateral cultural ties, as well as humanitarian exchanges in areas such as tourism, education, religion, and national cuisine. The authors set out to determine what has been successful over the last century and a half of close bilateral ties, and what needs to be improved in corresponding spheres, plus possible directions for strengthening cooperation. This became the third book over the last five years where Andrew Afanasiev served as both editor-in-chief and co-author or key contributor.
A bevy of experts in both countries have contributed essays describing their love for, respectively, Russian or South Korean culture, impressions of life in either country, and memorable cultural events. The essay writers included several former Ambassadors to both countries, renowned scholars, and representatives of cultural institutions and large corporations. Some of these experts also outlined their views on the prospects and ways of furtherning mutually beneficial cultural cooperation. The book also explores the success of the "Korean wave", Hallyu, worldwide and in Russia in particular, its key drivers and success factors, plus similarities and differences in perceptions and preferences in culture between Russians and South Koreans.
The book's writing and publication took three full years in total, as the authors scoured numerous sources in various languages, interviewed esteemed experts in corresponding areas of interest, and sought assistance from related government and academic instutions and cultural organizations. The work was supported by two Korean sponsors, including Mr. Chang Chi-hyeok, sponsor of the first book on Russian - South Korean relations, published with Andrew Afanasiev and Anna Stebenkova's participation in early 2022 and covering political and economic aspects, and another sponsor who chose to remain anonymous. On the Russian side, there were also two sponsors, namely Mr. Roman Iliev, entrepreneur, maecenas and public figure, and Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO). The authors note the overwhelming support they received from all organizations and experts involved in both countries in the process of writing the book, and extend their heartfelt gratitude thereto.
Importantly, the authors firmly believe that nations need to continue cooperation in mutually beneficial matters inasmuch as possible, despite potential disagreements on political issues. Maintaining and developing cultural ties and intercultural dialogue can go a long way in fostering mutual understanding and learning to resolve arising complications. We are happy to see representatives of various walks of life retaining interest in joint projects, and hope this book spurs more actors to partake in advancing cultural cooperation.