Minister of Culture and Tourism Kim Myoung-gon said on Aug. 2 that the ministry will strengthen its overseas marketing activities to spread "hallyu (Korean wave)" and expand exports of cultural contents. At the Jeju Agora 2006 Seminar held at Jeju Shilla Hotel, Minister Kim said, "The hallyu has brought about great economic ripple effects and promoted national image. However, there is an "anti-hallyu" or "hatred-hallyu" phenomenon in some countries, emerging as a new bottleneck to the government's efforts to spread hallyu." To tide over the anti-hallyu phenomenon, the ministry will expand two-way cultural exchanges with other Asian countries and bolster overseas copyrights for hallyu to lead to economic benefits, he said. Noting that hallyu is the symbol of showing Korean culture, Minister Kim said, "If we actively foster the culture industry as the nation's new growth engine, Korea will be able to enter the ranks of advanced countries as a culture powerhouse of Asia." As overseas marketing projects, he also suggested the hosting of large-scale international events, including G-Star, operation of joint PR pavilions in major cities in Asia, expanded reform of Korea Center at overseas cultural centers, establishment of eight new overseas cultural centers and expansion of cultural exchanges with the Third World countries.