Diplomats from 18 countries praise K-culture programs at Chungju Global Partnership Day

The Chungju Global Partnership Day, co-hosted by The Korea Herald and the Chungju Culture and Tourism Foundation, wrapped up to widespread praise. Participants lauded the event's lineup of Korean cultural programs and opportunities to engage with local officials and residents.

The Korea Herald and the Chungju Culture and Tourism Foundation held the one-night, two-day event for diplomatic missions based in Korea on Tuesday and Wednesday in and around Chungju, North Chungcheong Province.

A total of 28 people attended, including diplomatic representatives from 18 countries — among them Bulgaria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Oman, Portugal, Rwanda, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and Zambia — as well as local officials. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Chungju Mayor Lee Dong-seok also joined the gathering.

The event was designed to showcase Chungju's emergence as a city combining advanced industry, traditional culture, local cuisine and tourism resources. It was organized as part of preparations for "Visit Chungju Year" in 2027, with the aim of attracting foreign tourists and raising the city's international profile. Chungju has been designated a national cultural city of South Korea for 2025–2027 and is pursuing a range of projects to develop its traditional music and other cultural assets into modern tourism content.

Mayor Lee described Chungju as "a city rich in history and culture, blessed with a beautiful natural environment and growing opportunities for international exchange." He added, "After spending a night in Chungju, you will want to stay forever. I hope this visit becomes an opportunity to further strengthen friendship and cooperation between Chungju and each of your countries."

A central theme of the event was highlighting Chungju's standing as an industrial hub home to world-class facilities. On the first day, Tuesday, the diplomatic delegation visited Hyundai Elevator's Chungju Smart Campus, touring its exhibition hall and automated production facilities. They then ascended Asan Tower, a 250-meter research and development and elevator test facility completed in May 2025. Asan Tower is one of the three tallest elevator test towers in the world and can test up to 19 elevators simultaneously.

For former Secretary-General Ban, the visit was also a personal occasion — a chance to witness a Korean manufacturer's global reach from his hometown. "Visiting Hyundai Elevator reminded me again of how greatly Korean companies have contributed not only to the development of South Korea but to the world," Ban said. He added, "I was particularly moved to see that Hyundai Elevator operates such a large facility here in my hometown of Chungju, exporting products around the world and demonstrating Korea's capabilities to the international community."

After the industrial tour, the diplomatic delegation moved to Beopjeongsa Temple in Chungju, where they sampled traditional Korean tea and snacks. In the temple courtyard, the Chungju Municipal Ureuk Traditional Music Orchestra and temple members staged a program of Korean classical orchestral music, pansori, traditional dance and samulnori.

That evening, the group visited the visitor center of Danong Bio, a local traditional liquor producer, for a tasting of Chungju-made traditional spirits paired with bite-sized fusion dishes — including seaweed rice balls, Chungju apple and cream cheese canapés, mini yuzu yakgwa and mugwort rice cakes. On the second day, Wednesday, the delegation visited Jungang Tower Historic Park, taking in the scenery around the National Treasure seven-story stone pagoda of Tapyeong-ri, Gageum-myeon, Chungju and its expansive lawn.

The diplomats described the overnight trip as something more than a routine diplomatic event. Noel Emmanuel Kaganda, Tanzania's ambassador to South Korea, called it "a truly wonderful experience that will stay with me for a long time." Mustafa Ahmed Mustafa Mustafa, a counselor at the Iraqi Embassy in Seoul, said, "Everything was beautiful and enjoyable. I had a really great time."

Other diplomats also praised the well-organized program and the chance to interact directly with local officials and residents. One participant said the visit had been "a valuable opportunity to strengthen ties between local government and the diplomatic community."

Mayor Lee said after the event, "As we prepare for Visit Chungju Year next year, we wanted to invite ambassadors and diplomatic officials from around the world to introduce our city. Through this visit, I hope we have shared the many charms of Chungju — its people, culture and businesses — and laid the groundwork for the city to take another step forward on the world stage."