17 September, Jeonju, South Korea – The ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) hosted the Opening Ceremony of the Jeonju ASEAN Hall on 17 September 2026 located on the first-floor of Yeolimdong at the Korea Traditional Culture Center in Jeonju, bringing together ASEAN Ambassadors and representatives from all eleven ASEAN Member States (AMS), as well as Korean government and local officials. 

The two-day program, held from 17 to 18 September, highlighted the longstanding cultural ties between the Republic of Korea and ASEAN while showcasing the diversity and richness of ASEAN and Korean cultural heritage. A key highlight was the inaugural exhibition at the Jeonju ASEAN Hall, “ASEAN: Where Hands Bridge Time,” which introduced the cultures of the eleven ASEAN Member States, passed down through generations through the “hands of people.”  

The Opening Ceremony, attended by around 100 distinguished guests, commenced with welcoming remarks by H.E. Kim Jae-shin, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, followed by congratulatory remarks from Mr. Cho Ji-hun, Mayor of Jeonju City. A message from H.E. Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, was delivered by Mr. Kwon Jae-hwan, Director-General for ASEAN and Southeast Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  

The ceremony also featured congratulatory remarks by Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez of the Philippines, who underscored the importance of sharing cultural exchange in fostering a deeper understanding of both the similarities and diversity among cultures through shared cultural symbols, artifacts, and celebratory events. She further emphasized the role of such exchanges in strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between ASEAN and Republic of Korea. 

A cultural performance program followed, beginning with a traditional Korean pansori performance by the Jeonbuk Provincial Gugak Center, featuring Heungbuga – “The Gourd-Splitting Scene.” An ASEAN cultural performance was then presented by Gwyn Dorado, Filipino singer, who performed Golden, from the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack, and Dream by Cho Yong-pil. 

A highlight of the ceremony was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Jeonju ASEAN Hall, with the participation of the ASEAN Ambassadors and other distinguished guests. The ceremony concluded with a group photograph and an exhibition tour introducing guests to the cultural displays at the venue, followed by a reception. 

The reception featured specialty coffee brewed from beans sourced from Letefoho Microlet Coffee, hosted by Ambassador Antonio De Sa Benevidesof Timor-Leste. Guests were also served an assortment of breads, sweets, and buns from Lee Sung Dang Bakery, which, established in 1945, is widely recognized as Korea’s oldest bakery. 

The establishment of the Jeonju ASEAN Hall further contributes to opportunities for cultural exchange and public engagement between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea, while placing ASEAN culture within Jeonju, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage. 

Following the opening ceremony, the ASEAN Ambassadors and delegations visited Seung-gwang-jae, where they were introduced to the historic site and participated in a traditional tea reception. The first day concluded with an official dinner hosted by the ASEAN-Korea Centre at Lahan Hotel, featuring welcome and response remarks and toasts by representatives of the ASEAN-Korea Centre, Timor-Leste and Jeonju City. 

On 18 September, the delegations participated in a tour of Jeonju City, visiting Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Jeondong Catholic Cathedral, the Jeonju Craft Exhibition Hall, and the Jeonju Tourist Information Center observation deck. The program concluded with a farewell luncheon hosted by Jeonbuk State, featuring welcoming remarks by Governor Lee Won-Taeg of Jeonbuk State and a toast by Secretary General Kim Jae-shin of AKC. 

The two-day program provided an opportunity for ASEAN Ambassadors and delegations to experience Jeonju's distinctive cultural heritage while strengthening people-to-people connections and cultural cooperation between ASEAN and Korea. 

This Jeonju ASEAN Hall is the third ASEAN Hall established in Korea, following the opening of the Seoul ASEAN Hall in 2009 and the Jeju ASEAN Hall in 2022. As a permanent exhibition space, the Hall invites visitors to discover the rich diverse cultures, arts, and traditions of all 11 ASEAN Member States. It is jointly operated by the ASEAN-Korea Centre, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, and Jeonju City, serving as a venue for promoting greater cultural understanding. 

 The ASEAN-Korea Centre is an intergovernmental organization established to promote economic and socio-cultural cooperation between ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea. Through its programs and activities, the AKC works to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the ASEAN-Korea partnership. END