From a popular television show to a tragic dam collapse, recent years have seen numerous links between the two countries.
Korea Week Festival 2018 was held in the Lao capital Vientiane in October. The opening was attended by more than 200 Lao residents as well as entrepreneurs and government officials from both Laos and South Korea.
Local media outlets, including the government-run Lao News Agency, called South Korea’s first-ever cultural festival in Laos a “success,” describing it with a positive and encouraging voice.
In recent months, government-controlled media outlets in Laos have beefed up coverage of South Korea. Lao News Agency’s English edition, for example, has reported on South Korea almost every week since September. November, in particular, had news on South Korea appearing on the agency’s website on daily basis.
Since the coverage by media outlets in Laos tends to reflect the government’s current stance and voice, it is fair to say that South Korea is on the Lao government’s radar in a positive way.
That might be because South Korea has become one of the best customers for the Laos tourism industry over recent years.
Until recently, Laos was a little-known country for many people in South Korea. However, in 2014, the reality show “Youth Over Flowers” aired a season shot in Laos’ Vang Vieng city. That brought about a huge boost in awareness. Starring attractive and famous celebrities, the show successfully promoted Laos in South Korea and made people want to visit the country to follow in the footsteps of their favorite celebrities.
