PRESS RELEASE
No.	PR/19-30	Date	2019.10.16(수)
Contact	한-아세안센터: 정보자료국 조아라 담당관 (010-9983-2466) 홍보대행사: 생각드림 노우석 파트장 (010-8983-5696)
ASEAN-Korea Centre is an International Organization mandated to promote economic and socio-cultural cooperation between ASEAN Member States and Korea.

‘ASEAN-Korea Train: Advancing Together’ kicks off at Seoul Station

- Opening a new era of ASEAN-Korea partnership, the train visits Seoul, Gyeongju, Busan, Suncheon, Gwangju during a three-day journey -

-200 ASEAN and Korean participants wish for the success of the “2019 ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit”-

On October 16th, which marks the 40-day countdown to the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit 2019, the “ASEAN-Korea Train” will begin its 3-day journey with 200 delegates from 10 ASEAN Member States and Korea representing government, business academia, art, media and youth on board.

Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and organized by the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC), the “ASEAN-Korea Train” will bring the peoples of ASEAN and Korea together to celebrate the past 30 years of remarkable partnership and share wishes for a new 30 years of greater prosperity and peace.

Over the 3 days, the train will visit Gyeongju, Busan, Suncheon Gwangju, and Seoul where the participants will take part in economic, cultural and peace celebrations (representing the 3Ps of the New Southern Policy) under the overarching theme of “Advancing Together”. Artists and performers from the 11 countries will also share their musical talents through various performances during the 6-hour train ride.

■ October 16th, Launching a New Era of Shared Prosperity

H.E. Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, H.E. Dr. Pe Myint, Union Minister of Myanmar along with about 40 high-level representatives from both ASEAN and Korea attended the launching ceremony in the morning of October 16th at the Seoul Station to congratulate the take-off of the ASEAN-Korea Train

In the afternoon, H.E. Joo Nak-young, Mayor of Gyeongju will welcome the participants to the ancient city and together visit the Bulguksa Temple, one of Korea’s first UNESCO World Heritage sites. The tour will be an occasion for ASEAN and Korea to recognize the importance of regional and global cooperation in protecting and preserving the numerous cultural and natural heritages in both regions.

Later in the evening, participants will arrive in Busan, the host city of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit 2019 to celebrate the end of the first day at the “ASEAN-Korea Prosperity Night.” H.E. Oh Keo-don, Mayor of Busan, together with representatives of government, businesses and academia from Busan, will join the celebration and reaffirm Busan’s commitment to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN for the next 30 years.

■ October 17th, Becoming One through Nature and Culture

On October 17th, the ASEAN-Korea Train will head to Suncheon and Gwangju. In Suncheon, where the city is celebrating the “Visit Suncheon Year,” participants will take part in an eco-tour of the Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, one of the five largest wetlands in the world. Also, a student performer from ASEAN will give a surprise busking performance of Korean and ASEAN music for all the visitors at the reserve to enjoy.

In Gwangju, the Asia Culture Center will welcome the participants with a special exhibition on ASEAN-Korea which is being held in the lead up to the ASEAN-Korea Ministerial Meeting on Culture. Featuring “wish lanterns” as well as water, light, and fabric, that are commonly found in the ASEAN and Korean cultures, the special exhibition will use media-art technology to express the unity and harmony of ASEAN and Korea.

The evening will be followed by a networking reception where H.E. Lee Yong-sup, Mayor of Gwangju, will extend a warm welcome to all the ASEAN-Korea Train participants.

■ October 18th, Toward a Peaceful and Prosperous Community centered our Peoples

On October 18th, the ASEAN-Korea Train will end its 3-day journey in Seoul. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ASEAN diplomatic corps will join the final ceremony to congratulate the success of the train journey and welcome the beginning of a new 30 year-journey of friendship and prosperity. Artists from 11 countries will be joined by Baritone Kim Dong-kyu and the Millennium Symphony Orchestra for a special peace wishing concert. For the grand finale, all the participants will bring their hearts and minds together to wish for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and Asia as they sing “Our Hope”.

Lee Hyuk, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Korea Centre emphasized that the ASEAN-Korea Train “brings the wishes of our peoples for the success of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit and also for the realization of a peaceful and prosperous ASEAN-Korea community centered on our peoples.” He added that “through 30 years of intense cooperation, ASEAN and Korea have become indispensable partners to each other. We look forward to further deepening our relations based on mutual trust and strong friendship.”

[Attachments]

- Press Release file