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Southeast Asia Cultural Center to Be Established in Busan

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The City of Busan announced that the Southeast Asia Cultural Center (tentative name) will be built in Busan as part of a post ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit project. 

Korea and many Southeast Asian countries have established a firm, cooperative relationship, and Korea’s popularity in Southeast Asia is growing rapidly with the help of Hallyu culture. However, the level of understanding of Southeast Asian culture in Korea is not high. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked to build a Southeast Asia Cultural Center in Korea.

Despite hosting the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit 2014 in Busan this December, the Southeast Asia Cultural Center Establishment Project was originally planned to be located in the Seoul and Incheon areas. However, Busan made its own strong case to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was eventually selected as the final location for the center. Being the site of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit 2014, having six sister cities relationships with ASEAN member countries, as well as being one of the top MICE cities in the world all worked in Busan’s favor when the final decision was made.

The Center is expected to be completed no later than 2017. After consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the City of Busan will decide on a convenient, easily accessible location for the center.

The Southeast Asia Cultural Center will be operated as an international organization. It will be housed in a four story building with one level underground and be equipped with an exhibition hall, performance hall, information center and training room. The central government will cover the total cost of construction and operation, while the City of Busan will provide the land.

For more information, please contact the International Relations Division at (051) 888-3612.