ASEAN Encounters in Jeju: "Expanding Cultural Tourism and People-to-People Exchanges"

Opening of Jeju ASEAN Hall... Introducing 10 ASEAN Countries in Jeju, a Tourist Attraction
Expected to Enhance Korea-ASEAN Relations
Foreign Minister Park Jin and ASEAN Ambassadors 'Impressed'

[Jeju=Asia Economy Reporter Baek Jong-min]

Chirung Botomrensey, Ambassador of Cambodia to Korea, Oh Young-hoon, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Kim Hae-yong, Secretary-General of the Korea-ASEAN Center (from left in the photo) are viewing the exhibits after the opening ceremony of the Jeju ASEAN Hall on the 15th. Photo by Baek Jong-min.

On the afternoon of the 15th, the faces of the ambassadors from the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) visiting the 'Jeju ASEAN Hall' located in the International Peace Center within the Jungmun Tourist Complex in Seogwipo City, Jeju, were full of smiles. They were excited by the fact that a special space dedicated to enhancing relations between Korea and ASEAN countries had begun operating in Jeju, Korea's largest tourist destination. The ambassadors carefully examined various parts of the ASEAN Hall, focusing on their respective national exhibits. Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, who toured the exhibition with the ambassadors, also showed great interest in the meaning behind each piece.

The Jeju ASEAN Hall, which opened on this day, is jointly operated by the Korea-ASEAN Center (Secretary-General Kim Hae-yong), Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Oh Young-hoon), and the International Peace Foundation. Previously, the ASEAN Hall was only operated in Seoul, where the Korea-ASEAN Center, an international organization established to expand relations between Korea and ASEAN, is located, but it has now been expanded to Jeju.

The Jeju ASEAN Hall brings together the cultures of the 10 ASEAN countries?Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The opening exhibition, themed "Weaving Values Together," features cultural and artistic works encompassing both traditional and modern aspects of the 10 ASEAN countries and Jeju, as well as photos and videos showcasing key tourist destinations from each country, awaiting visitors.

The opening of the ASEAN Hall in Jeju is significant because tourism is an important aspect of Korea-ASEAN relations in the private sector. The Jeju ASEAN Hall serves as a catalyst to encourage Korean tourists, who have been flocking to Jeju since the COVID-19 pandemic, to travel to ASEAN countries as they did in the past. Jeju is also an important tourist destination for ASEAN nationals. Additionally, Jeju's appearance as the backdrop in the globally popular drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" is a factor that raises expectations for an increase in tourists from ASEAN countries visiting Jeju. Minister Park emphasized in his congratulatory speech that Jeju is receiving great interest from Southeast Asian tourists through this drama and expressed hopes for the expansion of Korea-ASEAN relations. Chair of the ASEAN Ambassadors' Corps in Korea, His Excellency Chheang Botumrangsay, Ambassador of Cambodia, also welcomed the opening, saying, "The Jeju ASEAN Hall, opened in beautiful Jeju, will become a place to promote the culture and tourism of ASEAN countries." The foreign dignitaries attending the opening ceremony planted camellia trees to pray for the enhancement of friendship and peace and stability between Korea and ASEAN.

The ASEAN Hall is also a valuable space for ASEAN nationals residing in Korea. Currently, about 10,000 ASEAN nationals reside in Jeju.

Kim Hae-yong, Secretary-General of the Korea-ASEAN Center, said, "We hope the ASEAN Hall will become a place of learning for future generations and contribute to fostering understanding and familiarity with ASEAN." Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon stated, "Jeju is the southernmost part of the Republic of Korea, but if you turn the map upside down, it is a forward base toward the ASEAN region," adding, "This ASEAN Hall is expected to be the focal point of the 'Jeju-ASEAN+α policy' and serve as a catalyst to expand cultural, tourism, and human exchanges between Jeju and ASEAN."