Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization

On 29 June 2026, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, together with the Korean Cultural Centre UK, hosted ‘Korea Forum 2026: Beyond Soft Power, From K-Wave to K-Initiative’ at the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in London.

Held as part of Korea Week 2026, the forum explored how Korea’s globally recognised cultural influence can be translated into broader leadership across business, innovation, technology and international cooperation.

Around 100 guests from across the UK's cultural, business, academic and diplomatic communities attended the forum, exchanging perspectives on the future of UK–Korea partnerships.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Kim Heung-chong highlighted that the Republic of Korea's remarkable transformation from the devastation of war into a global leader in innovation and culture stands as a testament to the dynamism and resilience of its people. He expressed his hope that Korea's spirit of innovation, combined with the United Kingdom's historical wisdom and institutional depth, would shape a new chapter of forward-looking partnership.