Thursday, February 24, 2005 14:33:33  

A visiting media official from Egypt's Al Akhbar daily said that the hit Korean drama 'Winter Sonata' has changed Arab perceptions of South Korean troops deployed in Iraq.

In a news conference in Seoul on Thursday, Hussein Abdul Waheed, head of the international division of the Egyptian newspaper, said the popularity of the KBS drama series, which recently ended its run in Egypt, had changed the locals' negative view toward the South Korean Zaitun unit stationed in Iraq.

He explained that some Egyptians are not aware of the peaceful, humanitarian nature of the Korean troops in Iraq, and that's why some unreasonably oppose all forms of foreign presence in the Arab world.

He added that some citizens appreciate the reconstruction work provided by Korean troops in the war-torn state.

The Egyptian official came to Seoul at the invitation of the Seoul government.  

From  http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=5&key=2005022422