BUSAN < invest Korea

According to Yonhap News,

(BUSAN=Yonhap News) Dozens of officials from South Korea and Southeast Asian nations gathered in the southern port city of Busan on Wednesday to celebrate the start of construction on a multi-story complex designed to promote cultural ties between the sides.

In a groundbreaking ceremony, First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam was joined by ambassadors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and dozens of other officials and nationals from the 10 ASEAN countries.

The six-story building, including two floors in the basement, will be built on 2,640 square meters of land and house various facilities to help cultural research and activities between the regions.

"The ASEAN culture center will enhance our people's understanding of the diversity of ASEAN culture ... and is expected to carry out the role of a hub for cultural exchanges between South Korea and ASEAN," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

President Park Geun-hye announced plans for the center's construction during the 2014 ASEAN-South Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan, saying it will aim to boost people-to-people exchanges and develop each other's cultures. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

The center is slated to open in late 2017.

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