To date, the Korea Foundation has assigned 156 professorships in 99 universities across 18 countries, and supported 764 cases of Korea-related research and activities at policy institutes in 43 countries. The KF also created a Korean Room in 28 world-renowned museums in 10 countries, and invited about 12,000 leading figures from around the world to help increase mutual understanding. According to the Public Diplomacy Act, the KF is the only “institution that conducts public diplomacy” in Korea, and it is growing thanks to the participation of all Korean citizens.

We face tough and harsh international conditions and circumstances. We confront various challenges at home and abroad such as the continued nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, the war in Ukraine, the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chain issues, the economic situation laden with high price, high interest and high exchange rates, and technological hegemony and ideological competition between the U.S. and China. The Korea Foundation has been striving to cope with such challenges and enhance the status of and build trust in the Republic of Korea in the international community by conducting public diplomacy activities to consolidate international cooperation network at non-governmental level and promote people-to-people exchange activities.

In July 2018, the KF moved its headquarters to Seogwipo on Jeju Island, as per the Korean government’s policy on the relocation of public agencies. Moving forward, in respect to the purpose of this relocation, the KF will contribute to the development of Jeju, the “Island of World Peace,” and will initiate even more diverse international exchange programs across Korea through the tripartite system comprised of the KF Headquarters, the Global Center in Seoul, and the ASEAN Culture House in Busan. We promise that the KF will continue to put forth earnest efforts to establish solid international civil networks and to spread our appeal to the world.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its establishment in December 2021, the Korea Foundation had a meaningful time to look back on its journey for the past three decades and think about which direction to go in the future. The Korea Foundation will make further efforts with an aim of conducting public diplomacy to contribute to freedom, peace and prosperity of the international community.

Thank you very much.