By Lee Hana
Seoul | Jan. 17, 2017

Directors and officers in charge of the 38 Korean cultural centers in 31 countries around the world gathered for their annual meeting in Seoul on Jan. 17.

This year, the meeting kicked off at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, where the directors and other officials took the opportunity to share case studies and experiences from each of their respective cultural centers.

In the opening speech, Director Kim Tae-hoon of the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) told the room that, "It's important that we, as cultural ambassadors, understand the governance philosophy of the new administration."

"The Moon administration places great emphasis on a people-centered approach to governance, to create a society that looks out for all its citizens," he said.

The director also turned attention to the upcoming PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

"North Korea recently agreed to participate in the PyeongChang Winter Games, and there are plans to organize a number of joint events. I hope that the PyeongChang Olympics will indeed become an Olympics of Peace, and I ask that all of you continue to promote the Games, up until the Paralympics closing ceremony in March," he said.

The program for this year's annual meeting, which runs for three days, includes special talks by guest lecturers, visits to arts and culture centers, and workshops with organizations hoping to launch their brand overseas.

hlee10@korea.kr