The establishment of the ASEAN Culture House (ACH) was one of the key outcomes of the 2014 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit in Busan. It opened on September 1, 2017, to coincide the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 2017 ASEAN-ROK Cultural Exchange Year, and serves as a lively platform to enhance Koreans’ understanding of the cultures and societies of ASEAN countries and promote mutual awareness and friendship between the peoples of ASEAN and Korea ASEAN consists of 10 member countries, including Brunei Darussalam, Kingdom of Cambodia, Republic of Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Republic of the Philippines, Republic of Singapore, Kingdom of Thailand and Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, which are geographically all relatively close to the Korean peninsula.

Throughout the year, the ASEAN Culture House hosts a permanent and numerous special exhibitions to illuminate the histories, societies and cultures of the 10 ASEAN countries. It will also showcase performances by musicians and artists as well as films by directors from ASEAN countries that are rarely shown in Korea. In doing so, the ACH will help visitors to better understand ASEAN.

Through various lectures and cultural experience programs as well as the ASEAN Information Center which provides books and multimedia materials about ASEAN countries, the ACH provides opportunities for Korean and ASEAN people to gain a better understanding of each other’s histories and cultures.

To promote inter cultural exchanges between Koreans and ASEAN residents in Korea and foster a community between Korean and ASEAN youth, the ACH holds numerous events year-round, including a multi-cultural festival. It also provides a platform for academics from Korea and ASEAN countries to network with each other. In doing so, the newly established venue strives to become a place to create harmony among the people of both regions.

Through the programs and activities on offer at the ASEAN Culture House, organized in close cooperation with the 10 ASEAN member states as well as related domestic and overseas organizations, the venue will contribute to a future-oriented relationship between Korea and ASEAN. The ASEAN Culture House is an open space where children, students, and the general public, including ASEAN and other foreign residents in Korea, as well as tourists can communicate with and befriend each other.

The ACH is open to everyone and hopes to be as inspiring and diverse as the people of Korea and the 10 ASEAN countries and their cultures. Please visit soon, and often!