JEJU, South Korea – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Korea Week 2025 officially opened here on Tuesday, serving as a key platform to foster people-to-people exchange and strengthen cultural, economic, and media cooperation between ASEAN and Korea. Journalists from member countries, including the Philippines, are among its participants.
The ASEAN–Korea Center invited the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), which sent representatives from the Presidential News Desk (PND) and the People’s Television Network (PTV) to take part in ASEAN–Korea Week, scheduled from November 11 to 16 across Seoul, Jeju, and Ilsan.
One of the highlights of the opening day was the Commemorative Ceremony marking the completion of the 10 ASEAN Benches at the ASEAN–Korea Olle in Jeju, symbolizing the enduring friendship between ASEAN and Korea.
The ceremony was led by ASEAN–Korea Center Secretary General Kim Jae-shin, together with Jeju Vice Governor Kim Ae-sook, Singapore Ambassador and ASEAN Committee in Seoul Chair Wong Kai Jiun, and Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Bernadette Therese Fernandez.
The delegation toured the benches dedicated to each ASEAN member country. Each bench is designed as a space where visitors can sit, relax, and enjoy the scenic view of Jeju while learning about the culture and identity of each ASEAN nation.
Information panels and QR codes placed at every bench provide additional facts and interactive content for visitors.
On Wednesday, journalists from across Southeast Asia and Korea will gather in Seoul for the ASEAN Journalists Invitation Program and the ASEAN–Korea Media Forum to chart the path forward for media collaboration between the two regions.
The week will also feature the ASEAN Trade Fair 2025, from Nov. 13 to 16, at KINTEX, Ilsan, where 80 ASEAN food and beverage companies will showcase local specialties and explore business opportunities with Korean buyers. (Cecilia M. Suerte Felipe, Presidential News Desk)