ASEAN-Korea Center holds cultural, gastronomic and youth exchange events in Seoul and Jeonju

ASEAN culture and food experience event in Seoul… Jeon Ju-seon Youth Forum for 80 International Students

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Jeong A-ran = An event where you can taste traditional food from 11 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and appreciate Southeast Asian culture using artificial intelligence (AI) technology will be held in Seoul and Jeonju.

The ASEAN-Korea Center announced on the 12th that it will hold '2026 ASEAN Week' to introduce Southeast Asian culture and arts in Seoul and Jeonju for three days starting on the 13th.

This event consists of an exhibition at the ASEAN Hall in Seoul and cultural, gastronomic and youth exchange programs such as 'ASEAN Food Festa' and 'Jeonbuk-ASEAN Youth Together Tomorrow Forum'.

Seoul ASEAN Hall, located on the first floor of the Korea Press Center in Gwanghwamun, presents the permanent exhibition ‘Gedda – Modern Heritage Canvas’. The exhibition was designed to allow visitors to experience ASEAN's traditional crafts, nature, cities, and culture using immersive content and AI technology.

The ASEAN Food Festa will be held for three days starting on the 13th at the Seoul Plaza in front of the Korea Press Center under the theme of ‘The Taste of ASEAN: A Table Created by Time.’

It introduces representative and traditional foods from 11 ASEAN countries, including Nasi Lemak from Malaysia and Laksa from Singapore. On the 14th, famous barista Jeong In-seong will showcase coffee from East Timor, a new member of ASEAN.

The Korean Dessert Zone also operates a pop-up booth introducing the wind rice cake making experience and products from Gunsan Iseongdang, known as the oldest bakery in Korea.

In Jeonju, the 'Jeonbuk-ASEAN Youth Together Tomorrow Forum' will be held for two days starting on the 14th, co-hosted by the ASEAN-Korea Center, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, and Chonbuk National University's Southeast Asia Research Institute.

About 80 people, including domestic ASEAN students, will participate and exchange opinions on topics such as traditional markets, youth entrepreneurship, regional-specific visas, and the future of youth in the AI ​​era. We will visit Jeonju ASEAN Hall, Nambu Market Youth Mall, and Smart Farm to look at local industries and the employment and start-up environment.

Kim Jae-shin, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Korea Center, said, “This is an opportunity to experience the charms of ASEAN with all five senses, from gourmet cuisine to culture, tourism, and youth exchanges.” He added, “I hope this will be an opportunity to feel closer to ASEAN and expand mutual understanding and cultural consensus.”