'Havel Bench' Named After Czech President... Why at Yangjaecheon?

Symbolizing Korea-Czech Friendship and Cooperation

The "V?clav Havel Bench" has been installed for the first time in Korea along Yangjaecheon Stream in Seocho District, Seoul. This bench is an international public art project that symbolizes Czech democratization and embodies the future of Korea-Czech friendship and cooperation. Why was Yangjaecheon chosen, and why is this bench being placed there now?

Seongsoo Jeon, Seocho District Mayor (left), and Jan Ivan Jancarek, Czech Ambassador to Korea, are sitting on the Havel Bench by Yangjaecheon Stream, holding hands. Provided by Seocho District Office.

V?clav Havel (1936?2011) was the last president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic. As a dissident playwright, he led the 1989 Velvet Revolution against the communist regime that lasted for over 40 years, and he became a global symbol of peaceful democratization.

Havel put into practice his belief that "truth and love will prevail over lies and hatred," uniting a divided nation through dialogue and communication. His name remains on Prague International Airport in the Czech Republic since 2012.

Havel Benches have been installed in 18 countries around the world. The unique design, featuring two chairs facing each other and a tree growing through a round table, symbolizes the roots of dialogue, democratic communication, and a space for free expression.

The Havel Foundation and the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Korea reviewed six candidate sites, including World Cup Park and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, before selecting Yangjaecheon in Seocho District as the optimal location. Yangjaecheon was chosen because it is an open space where natural ecology can be enjoyed year-round and different generations come together, aligning with Havel's philosophy of "dialogue and communication." The bench was installed across from the riverside stage, in the area with the highest foot traffic.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Czech Republic. The symbolic significance was further enhanced by the combination of a Cornus kousa tree donated by Danyang County in North Chungcheong Province and the table and chairs transported from the Czech Republic. In particular, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power was recently selected as the preferred bidder for a new nuclear power plant project in the Czech Republic worth 26 trillion won, marking a new milestone in Korea-Czech economic cooperation. Seocho District explained that the installation of the Havel Bench is not only a cultural and artistic event, but also a symbol of the two countries’ strategic partnership and future-oriented cooperation.

Seocho District plans to use the creation of this bench as an opportunity to expand various public diplomacy and exchanges, including a friendship city agreement with Prague 6 District. Seocho District Mayor Seongsoo Jeon stated, "I hope that the installation of the Havel Bench, a symbol of cooperation between our two countries, will lead to the successful signing of the nuclear power plant contract and become a new milestone in Korea-Czech friendship and cooperation," adding, "I also hope that the Havel Bench on Yangjaecheon will become a meaningful space that reminds citizens of the spirit of democratic communication and much-needed unity."