Symposium on “Afrosiyab Murals and Korea-Uzbekistan Exchange” 

Held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

The Foundation held a symposium in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on April 17 with the State Museum of Culture History of Uzbekistan with the theme of “Afrosiyab Murals and Korea-Uzbekistan Exchange.” Two figures wearing jowoogwan (a bird-shaped hat) and hwandudaedo swords, whose images are painted in the west wall of the Afrosiyab murals, have been presumed to be depictions of ancient Koreans. The Foundation has been carrying out a digital restoration of Afrosiyab murals since 2013. Lee Seongje, head of the Foundation’s Institute on Pre-Modern Korean History, Ko Kwang-eui, senior researcher at the Foundation’s Institute on Pre-Modern Korean History, Professor Jeong Ho-seop of Hansung University, Professor Park A-rim of Sukmyung Women’s University, Mustafofulof S, head of Afrosiyab Museum, Marina Leotova, head of Uzbekistan’s Institute of Archaeology, Mirza Ahmedov D.K., researcher at Uzbekistan’s Institute of Archaeology, and Ahadova G., researcher at the Archaeology Institute made presentations at the symposium. The Foundation saw the symposium as a chance to promote an understanding of Korea’s history and culture that unfolded in the ancient Silk Road and to foster the creation of relationships and academic exchange between Korea and Uzbekistan.