KOREA FOUNDATION

The ASEAN Culture House officially opened in Busan on September 1 with the mission of expediting cultural exchange between Korea and the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The house was dedicated through a joint effort of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Busan Metropolitan City, following an agreement reached at the Korea-ASEAN Special Summit in 2014. The KF is in charge of its operation and management.
  Around 500 people attended the inaugural ceremonies held at the house’s outdoor event space, including Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa, Busan Mayor Suh Byung-soo, KF President Lee Sihyung, foreign ministers and vice foreign ministers of the 10 ASEAN countries, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh, next-generation culture and policy experts from Southeast Asia, multicultural families, and Busan citizens.
  In her commemorative speech, Minister Kang said, “The establishment of the ASEAN Culture House in Korea is the first of its kind among ASEAN's dialogue partners, and it will mark a significant milestone toward a closer relationship with ASEAN, which the Korean government seeks as a priority. The house is expected to serve as a “hall of culture,” to introduce to Korea the cultures and histories of the 10 ASEAN member states, and to boost two-way and people-to-people exchanges between Korea and ASEAN.”
  In the evening, the Asia Traditional Orchestra celebrated the house’s opening with a concert at the Busan Cultural Center Chamber Hall, presenting a wide variety of traditional music of Korea and ASEAN members to the resounding applause of the audience.
  The House will hold permanent and special exhibitions to enhance the public’s understanding of the society and culture of ASEAN, as well as offer performances and film screenings otherwise not easily accessible in Korea. It will also provide classes and opportunities for cultural experiences for both Koreans and ASEAN residents in Korea to help strengthen the bonds between the two sides.