Commemorative completion ceremony for the 10 ASEAN Benches at the ASEAN-Korea Olle Trail: A profound symbol of friendship

Representatives of the embassies of ASEAN member states at the inauguration of 10 benches honoring ASEAN member states. (Source: AKC)

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Wong Kai Jiun, Singapore's Ambassador to Republic of Korea and Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Seoul; Mr. Kim Jae-shin, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC); representatives from Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, embassy representatives and journalists from 10 ASEAN member countries.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Kim Jae-shin, Secretary-General of the AKC, expressed gratitude to the 10 ASEAN member state representatives for making the initiative to install commemorative benches symbolizing each ASEAN member a reality at RoK's most sought-after tourist destination.

For his part, Mr. Wong Kai Jiun, Singapore's Ambassador to Republic of Korea and Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Seoul, stated that the ASEAN-Korea Olle Trail helps welcome ASEAN tourists to Jeju and better introduce ASEAN to local visitors in Jeju.

Art performance by children on Jeju Island at the Inauguration Ceremony. (Source: AKC)

In 2024, the ASEAN-RoK Dialogue Relations was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Singaporean Ambassador to RoK stated that ASEAN looks forward to continuing this positive momentum in relations with Seoul.

"The deepest foundation for a lasting relationship between the two sides is the bond between people – through friendships, exchanges, and meaningful interactions. The ASEAN-Korea Olle Trail initiative is a prime example of the soft aspect of relations between the two regions", he added.

At the inauguration of the 10 ASEAN benches, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thai Binh, Minister Counselor and Second-in-command, representing the Vietnamese Embassy in RoK, expressed hope that the ASEAN-Korea Olle Trail will become a destination for the Vietnamese community in RoK as well as Vietnamese tourists in the future.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thai Binh, Minister Counselor and Second-in-command, representing the Vietnamese Embassy in Republic of Korea, poses with her husband (far left) and AKC Secretary-General Kim Jae-shin at the Vietnam bench. (Source: AKC)

She emphasized: "The small bench carries a profound symbolic meaning of close, friendly, and joyful friendship between the people of Vietnam and RoK, as well as within the ASEAN family on the friendship trail. I believe that everyone who stops at the bench named Vietnam will feel the hospitality and shared aspiration for a bright future in Vietnam-RoK and ASEAN-RoK relations."

On November 8, 2024, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the ASEAN-RoK Dialogue Partnership and its upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a ceremony was held in Jeju to announce the naming of "Jeju Olle Trail No. 8: ASEAN-Korea Olle". The 19.6 km ASEAN-Korea Olle Trail is considered one of RoK's iconic routes. Following the ceremony, AKC installed commemorative benches symbolizing each ASEAN member state.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thai Binh and her husband pose at the Vietnam bench. (Source: AKC)

This activity not only aims to promote the natural beauty of Republic of Korea but also enhances the understanding of ASEAN among the Korean people, while fostering cultural and tourism cooperation between ASEAN and Jeju.

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