The Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) and the Government of Telangana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cultural cooperation between India and South Korea, with the two sides set to jointly organise Korea Culture Day 2026 in Hyderabad on October 25. The event will take place at Shilpakala Vedika and feature a range of Korean cultural experiences, including K-pop, traditional performances, Korean cuisine, K-beauty and cultural exhibitions.
The partnership follows South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit to India in April 2026, during which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lee reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
During the visit, the two leaders welcomed the extension of the 2026–2030 Cultural Exchange Programme and agreed to observe 2028–2029 as the Year of India-ROK Friendship through various cultural activities. They also highlighted cooperation in cultural and creative industries, including cinema, and initiatives to promote mutual understanding of their respective cultural heritage.
The organisation of an India Day in South Korea and a Korea Day in India was among the initiatives discussed during the summit. India Day was subsequently celebrated in Seoul on May 16, 2026. Korea Culture Day in Hyderabad is expected to provide residents with an opportunity to experience both contemporary and traditional Korean culture. The programme will also bring Indian and Korean cultural elements together, encouraging greater engagement between the two communities.
KCCI will also organise its annual Korean cultural festival, Korea Culture Day 2026 (Rang De Korea), at Select Citywalk Mall in New Delhi on October 23 and 24. Suresh Chukkapalli, Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Hyderabad, played a key role in facilitating communication between KCCI and the Telangana Government during the development of the partnership.
Commenting on the initiative, Hwang Il Yong, Director of the Korean Cultural Centre India, said to The World Times that cultural exchange was an important foundation for lasting people-to-people relationships. He welcomed the collaboration with the Telangana Government and expressed hope that the event would give more people the opportunity to experience Korean culture and further strengthen friendship between India and South Korea.
The partnership forms part of KCCI’s broader efforts to expand Korean cultural engagement across India and create more opportunities for local communities to participate in cultural exchange initiatives.
