ASEAN-Korea Centre to Hold “2026 ASEAN Week” in Seoul and Jeonju

ASEAN-Korea Centre to Hold "2026 ASEAN Week" in Seoul and Jeonju

- Featuring the Seoul ASEAN Hall's New Permanent Exhibition "Gyeotda," ASEAN Food Festa, and Jeonbuk-ASEAN Youth Together for Tomorrow Forum -

The ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC, Secretary General Kim Jae-shin) will hold "2026 ASEAN Week" in Seoul and Jeonju from November 13 to 15. This year's program brings together the remodeled Seoul ASEAN Hall with a new permanent exhibition, the ASEAN Food Festa, and the Jeonbuk-ASEAN Youth Together for Tomorrow Forum, highlighting "Weaving Connections" between ASEAN and Korea through culture, gastronomy, and youth exchange.

The opening ceremony will take place at 3:00 PM on November 13 at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, with the ASEAN Committee in Seoul (ACS) and the Deputy Minister for Political Affairs at the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in attendance. It will open with a mocktail presentation featuring ingredients from Southeast Asia by Alice Cheongdam, ranked No. 13 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026.

■ Weaving Connections through Culture - Seoul ASEAN Hall's New Permanent Exhibition "Gyeotda - Modern Heritage Canvas"

Opened in August 2025 at the Korea Press Center, the remodeled Seoul ASEAN Hall will transition to a permanent exhibition format with the launch of "Gyeotda," a Korean word meaning "to weave together and lean on one another." The exhibition aims to shift the focus from static observation to participation. By installing immersive experiences, use of AI and appealing to the four senses, the exhibition is intended to transform visitors from passive onlookers into active explorers of Southeast Asia.

The exhibition features four themed spaces: "Gyeotda with Hands," highlighting traditional ASEAN crafts and travel destinations; "Gyeotda Face to Face," showcasing the region's natural landscapes, cities, and cultures through video; "Gyeotda in Every Breath," evoking ASEAN through scent and sound; and "Gyeotda Through Memories," exploring stories that connect the region's past and present. Workshops and lectures will also be offered. The exhibition will be open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays, excluding public holidays.

■ Weaving Connections through Gastronomy - "2026 ASEAN Food Festa"

From November 13 to 15, the "2026 ASEAN Food Festa" will take place at Seoul Madang in front of the Korea Press Center. Under the theme "ASEAN Flavor: Good Things Take Time," the event will showcase culinary traditions from all 11 ASEAN Member States. Visitors can enjoy signature dishes such as Malaysia's nasi lemak and Singapore's laksa, as well as traditional foods less commonly found in Korea. Coffee from Timor-Leste, ASEAN's latest member, will also be featured. On November 14, national champion and award-winning barista Jung In-seong will present Timor-Leste coffee on site. Moreover, the Korean Dessert Zone will offer a traditional baram-tteok (rice cake) making experience and a pop-up booth by Lee Sung Dang Bakery. Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Korean Food Promotion Institute, the Table & Food Coordinate of Korea, Daelim University, Amorepacific, and Daedoo Foods, the event will run daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

■ Weaving Connections through Youth Exchange - "Jeonbuk-ASEAN Youth Together for Tomorrow Forum"

Exchanges with ASEAN youth will also extend beyond Seoul to other regions of Korea. From November 14 to 15, the AKC, Jeonbuk State, and Jeonbuk National University Institute for Southeast Asian Studies will jointly host the "Jeonbuk-ASEAN Youth Together for Tomorrow Forum" in Jeonju.

Around 80 ASEAN students enrolled in universities and graduate schools in Korea will discuss traditional markets and youth entrepreneurship, work and life under region-specific visa schemes, and the future of young people in the AI era. Participants will also visit the Jeonju ASEAN Hall, which opened in September, the Jeonju Nambu Market Youth Mall, and smart farms to gain first-hand insight into Jeonbuk's industries and employment, while exploring potential career paths in the region.

AKC Secretary General Kim Jae-shin said, "This year's ASEAN Week offers a meaningful opportunity to experience the diverse appeal of ASEAN through all five senses, spanning gastronomy, culture and tourism, and youth exchange through the Seoul ASEAN Hall's new permanent exhibition, the ASEAN Food Festa, and the Jeonbuk-ASEAN Youth Together for Tomorrow Forum." He added, "We hope the programs in Seoul and Jeonju will bring ASEAN closer to the Korean public and further deepen mutual understanding and cultural affinity between ASEAN and Korea."

*Since 2019, the AKC has introduced Southeast Asian arts, heritage, and culture to the Korean public through ASEAN Week. It currently operates permanent cultural spaces known as "ASEAN Halls" in Seoul, Jeju, and Jeonju, creating more opportunities for the public to encounter ASEAN in everyday life.

Annex 1. Seoul ASEAN Hall Outline

Annex 2. ASEAN Food Festa Outline

Annex 3. Jeonbuk-ASEAN Youth Together for Tomorrow Forum Outline

Annex 4. Key Visual