A section of the Jeju Olle Trail, a scenic and popular foot path that lies on the perimeter of South Korea’s Jeju Province, has been named Jeju Olle Trail 8 Route: ASEAN-Korea Olle in honour of the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea dialogue relations and its elevation to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The ceremony, led by the ASEAN-Korea Centre in cooperation with the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Jeju Olle Foundation, was held on November 8 in Seogwipo. It saw the presence of key figures including ASEAN-Korea Centre’s secretary general, Kim Jae-shin; Jeju governor Oh Young-hun; Jeju Olle Foundation’s founding CEO and chairperson, Suh Myung Sook; deputy minister of foreign affairs, Chung Byung-won; and ambassadors of the 10 ASEAN countries in South Korea.
Jeju Olle Trail 8 now bears a commemorative signage and bench introducing ASEAN and South Korea.
The initiative aims to promote South Korea’s beautiful natural landscapes, such as the Jeju Olle, to visitors from South-east Asia while fostering understanding of the ASEAN grouping among South Koreans.
The ASEAN-Korea Centre plans to expand this friendship trail to the 10 ASEAN member states to foster deeper connection between the region and South Korea.
Another ceremony was held for the ASEAN Culture & Tourism Book Corner within the Jeju International Peace Centre, where the ASEAN-Korea Centre’s Jeju ASEAN Hall is also located. The book corner features a collection of literature showcasing the cultural and tourism resources of South-east Asia, donated by the ASEAN-Korea Centre and the 10 ASEAN Embassies in South Korea. It also displays a collection of personal favourites selected and autographed by these ambassadors.
Kim shared: “The ASEAN-Korea Centre has been pursuing various projects to invigorate culture and tourism between (South) Korea and ASEAN, introducing the rich culture and tourism offerings of both regions. This meaningful project endeavours to promote (South) Korea’s natural tourism assets such as the Jeju Olle to ASEAN, and vice versa.
“The permanent commemorative milestone is a testament to the enduring relations between (South) Korea and ASEAN, and the ongoing journey both regions will continue to pursue.”
