The Korean Cultural Centre India held the opening ceremony of the exhibition “Taekwondo: Facing the World” on June 2.

The exhibition, centered around artifacts from the National Taekwondo Museum, was designed to shed light on the modern history and internationalization of Taekwondo.

▲ Prior to the official opening, a VIP reception was held where Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, H.E. Lee Seong-ho, engaged in conversations with distinguished guests.

▲ Following the traditional diya lighting ceremony that marked the start of the exhibition, the Ambassador and his spouse posed for a commemorative group photo with VIP guests.

▲ In his congratulatory remarks, Ambassador H.E Lee Seong-ho highlighted the significance of the exhibition in promoting the values and spirit of Taekwondo — such as discipline, patience, and self-control. He added, “I’m truly pleased to witness the growing enthusiasm for Taekwondo among Indian youth.”

▲ Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India and a senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), remarked, “Every young person wants to own a Taekwondo belt — the symbol of the sport. This exhibition was truly impressive and offered a great learning opportunity on how Taekwondo has spread and gained popularity around the world.”

▲ Namdev Shirgaonkar, President of the India Taekwondo, expressed gratitude for continued collaboration with the Korean Cultural Centre India, adding, “Our joint efforts over the years have played a vital role in expanding Taekwondo across India and strengthening Korea–India cultural exchange.” 

▲ Following the opening remarks, a guided tour-VIP curation was held, during which VIP guests listened to the significance and symbolism behind each exhibit.

▲ After the exhibition curation, the Korean traditional percussion group Haeorum performed on stage at the Cultural Centre auditorium, blending Korean rhythms with popular Indian songs like 'Shubhram'.

▲  The professional Korean Taekwondo performance team-'Taekwoncrea' then showcased a dynamic fusion performance combining breaking techniques and dance.

▲ Indian audiences enjoyed the performances with great enthusiasm and appreciation.