There was no Hindi interpreter present. In a meeting with a country of 1.5 billion people, South Korea could not provide a single person fluent in that language. Instead, a double interpretation through English conveyed the words of both leaders.
During a Cabinet meeting on April 28, President Lee Jae-myung directly reprimanded Foreign Minister Park Jin. "We need to ensure that we can avoid double interpretation in the future by training at least one person in special education," he said.
While the reprimand focused on the lack of personnel, it also highlighted a more uncomfortable reality. South Korea and India are both located on the Asian continent, share thousands of years of civilization, and have experienced colonial pain together. Despite having established diplomatic relations long ago and increasing trade each year, the two countries still feel distant from one another. The absence of a single interpreter was not a coincidence but a result of structural indifference.
Language is a measure of interest. The languages we choose to learn reflect how seriously we regard those countries. By that standard, India has long been a low priority.
To bridge this gap, the Indian Cultural Center in Korea, the Indian Embassy, and Aju Media collaborated to launch the '2026 Korea-India AI Video and Essay Contest,' which drew a passionate response from about 550 participants. The responses were remarkable.
Sonali Ray, who won the essay grand prize, compared Seoul's Gwangjang Market with India's bazaars. She noted that while kimchi and achar (Indian pickles) are not the same food, they share a common philosophy. Both civilizations understood the wisdom of transforming simple ingredients into something complex and vibrant through fermentation and patience.
Kim Ji-young, who won the gold prize, approached India from a different angle. His essay began with the observation that the Hindi words for 'yesterday' and 'tomorrow' are expressed with the same term, 'kal.' This led him to reflect on India's philosophy of rejecting definitive conclusions.
Quoting independence activist Aurobindo, who said, "Humans are transitional beings and never complete," he quietly examined the impatience of modern Korean society, which often defines each other by four letters of the MBTI. In a country where yesterday is tomorrow and tomorrow is yesterday, he learned a life attitude of not rushing to conclusions.
Ultimately, the two essays, though expressed in different languages, convey the same message: we have not known India well enough.
Kim Dong-hee's AI video titled 'Together We Soar Higher,' which won the top prize in the video category, captured a similar sentiment in a different format. It showcased what could emerge when Korea's planning capabilities meet India's creative sensibilities in a rapidly changing digital environment.
Double interpretation is a language issue. However, at a deeper level, it is a matter of understanding. The 550 participants took the opportunity to explore India through this contest. They researched Indian cuisine, read about Indian history, and pondered the meaning of a single Hindi word. Each of these actions, in a different way but no less significant, helped bridge the distance between the two countries.
On May 16, an India Culture Day event will be held at Yeouido Hangang Park. Contest winners will stand on the podium that day. As the colors and sounds of India spread over the Han River, it may mark the first scene where the distance of double interpretation transforms into a bridge of bilingual understanding. In a country where yesterday and tomorrow are the same word, we are just beginning to greet that nation properly.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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