20th Korea-Japan Festival in Seoul

The Korea-Japan Festival, first launched in 2005 to mark the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic normalization between Korea and Japan, will return to Seoul City this fall. Celebrating its 20^th anniversary, as well as the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the event will take place on October 12^th at COEX B Hall. The Korea-Japan Festival is considered the largest private-level exchange event between the two nations, attracting tens of thousands of participants each year. Its purpose is to promote mutual understanding and strengthen friendship through cultural, civic, youth, and regional exchanges. Organizers emphasize that the festival has become a symbolic bridge between Korea and Japan, fostering cooperation despite ongoing challenges. This year’s program will feature a wide range of performances. With 16 singers from Taiwan, Korea, and Japan, the women’s choir OMMAs will present a distinctive blend of cultures on stage. In addition, the Japanese performing arts group HANAGATA will showcase their traditional craft, and Korean calligrapher Lee Jung-hwa will deliver a live performance. Organizers hope that, in addition to demonstrating the richness and diversity of Japanese and Korean culture, the event will foster greater respect between the two nations. Through its intergenerational approach, the festival also aims to strengthen ties among young people and ensure that cultural exchange continues to thrive in the future.