KOREA FOUNDATION

I sincerely hope all of you find happiness in this new year.

Last year, as we celebrated ASEAN’s 50th anniversary and the ASEAN-ROK Cultural Exchange Year, the ASEAN Culture House began its meaningful journey in Busan. As a two-way exchange platform between Korea and ASEAN, we hold both permanent and special exhibitions show casing the culture, history, and society of ASEAN. We have already made efforts to introduce ASEAN culture to Koreans and foreign residents in Korea by hosting unique performances and screening movies from ASEAN that are not easily accessible domestically. We have also hosted many projects for local residents, ASEAN nationals living in Korea, and kindergartners as well as elementary, middle, high school and university students. The educational programs we offered included lectures on regional topics and ASEAN food experience programs. We have been working to raise awareness of the ASEAN Culture House by cooperating with various organizations, including the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), numerous foreign embassies, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in ASEAN, and Busan Metropolitan City.

The number of ASEAN residents in Korea is continuously increasing, just as ASEAN becomes increasingly important to Koreans. Throughout 2018, the ASEAN Culture House will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of academic, cultural, and human exchange programs. Furthermore, we will faithfully carry out our role as a cultural bridge to enable mutual understanding that will help to strengthen cooperation between Korea and ASEAN. The ASEAN Culture House will continue to be a place for communication and exchange between Korea and ASEAN. I welcome your continued interest and support for the ASEAN Culture House and wish you good fortune and peace. Thank you.

Director general of the ASEAN Culture House, Seung-hoon Ham