Culture Ministry to Spread K-Culture to Areas Without Korean Cultural Centers Through "Eoullim Korean Culture Festival"

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold the "Eoullim Korean Culture Festival" throughout the year in 52 cities and countries around the world where there are no Korean Cultural Centers.

The ministry has revamped its existing "Visiting K-Culture" initiative, which was previously operated in cities within countries that already had Korean Cultural Centers, into the new "Eoullim Korean Culture Festival" that now also covers countries without Korean Cultural Centers. As a result, this year, the ministry will directly visit 33 cities without Korean Cultural Centers to promote Korean culture. In addition, in 19 countries without Korean Cultural Centers, it will support the hosting of "Korean Culture Comprehensive Festivals" in cooperation with overseas diplomatic missions.

▲The Korean Cultural Center in Japan will hold the "Korean Culture Festival 2025" in Miyazaki Prefecture, Kyushu region, in October, expanding cultural exchanges with residents and youth outside the Japanese capital area. The festival will open with performances of "Arirang" and the Korean children's song "Apuro" by a local high school choir, followed by a variety of events including traditional Korean music, classical music, and taekwondo. ▲In Thailand, the center collaborated with the Korean Language Department at Khon Kaen University in the northeast to hold the "Korean Culture Bobusang" event in June, offering hands-on experiences such as trying on Hanbok, tasting Korean food, and watching performances for students. ▲In Indonesia, in cooperation with a national university in the Yogyakarta region, Korean performances and exhibitions spanning both tradition and modernity will be presented in November. ▲In Vietnam, where Korean is adopted as the first foreign language, cultural festivals are held throughout the year in provincial cities such as Da Nang and Hue in partnership with the King Sejong Institute, helping local students deepen their understanding of Korean culture. ▲In the United Kingdom, since March, "Korea Day" events have been held at prestigious regional universities including Manchester, Sheffield, and Liverpool.

▲The Korean Cultural Center in Austria will co-host the "Graz Korean Culture Festival" in September with the city of Graz, the country's second-largest city. ▲The Korean Cultural Center in Mexico will jointly host the "Eoullim Korean Culture Festival in Veracruz" in July with the state government of Veracruz, introducing Korean culture to residents outside the capital. ▲The Korean Cultural Center in Washington will partner with Olney Theater to organize Korean cultural events, including a stage adaptation of the drama "Kim's Convenience Store" in Maryland in June and July. ▲The Korean Cultural Center in LA will co-host the "2025 Korean Festival" in Utah in September with global food entertainment group CUPBOP, expanding the foundation for the spread of Hallyu through collaborations with various organizations.

In addition, the "Eoullim Korean Culture Festival" will be held on various themes in 19 countries without Korean Cultural Centers, such as Ecuador, Pakistan, and Ireland, in cooperation with overseas diplomatic missions.

Yoon Yangsu, Director-General of International Cultural Promotion Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, "The Eoullim Korean Culture Festival is a meaningful initiative that provides opportunities for locals to experience Korean culture by collaborating with local organizations even in areas without Korean Cultural Centers," and added, "The ministry will continue to promote K-culture widely in various countries and cities and establish a sustainable foundation for its continued expansion."