More Than 50 Diplomats Stationed in Korea Visit Gangwon State to Experience Peace, Future Technology and Traditional Culture

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gangwon State Co-Host Local Community Field Visit on Oct. 8-9
Visit Goseong DMZ, Gangneung ITS and Odaesan... Expand Diplomatic Ties with Local Governments

Diplomats stationed in Korea visited Gangwon State to learn about the realities of division, future transportation technology, and traditional culture. Gangwon State plans to use the visit as an opportunity to expand exchanges with embassies and continue working with them to promote the region's strategic industries.

Exterior view of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Provincial Government building. Provided by Gangwon Province.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Gangwon State jointly hosted the “2026 Field Visit to Local Communities for Diplomats Stationed in Korea” on October 8-9 in Goseong, Gangneung, and Pyeongchang. More than 50 people attended, including ambassadors stationed in Korea and their spouses, representatives of international organizations, and officials from the ministry and Gangwon State. The ministry oversaw the planning of the event, while Gangwon State supported the program design and local operations.

On the first day, the diplomats visited the Goseong Unification Observatory and the DMZ Museum to learn about the history of the division of the Korean Peninsula and the meaning of peace. They then visited the Gangneung City Information Center to learn about the operation of the intelligent transportation system (ITS) and an integrated control system for crime prevention and disaster response CCTV. The ambassadors' spouses visited Gangneung Jungang Market, where they sampled local specialties and experienced traditional market culture.

At a welcome dinner, Lim Sangwoo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Ambassador for Public Diplomacy, said, “Gangneung's mobility technology is vivid proof of Korea's technological innovation, while Odaesan and the National Museum of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty are places where visitors can appreciate great cultural value. I hope this journey will help showcase the diverse charms of Gangwon State and lay the groundwork for strengthening friendship between Korea and countries around the world.”

Kim Youngsu, Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs of Gangwon State, said, “It is meaningful to be able to show not only Gangwon's pristine nature and commitment to peace, but also how it is leading the way in future industries as the host of the ITS World Congress. I hope there will be more opportunities to introduce key strategic industries, including AI data centers, smart bio and medical devices, and semiconductors, to diplomats stationed in Korea.”

Speaking on behalf of the diplomatic corps, Andrei Chernetsky, the Belarusian ambassador to Korea, said, “Today, creating synergy through close cooperation between embassies and local governments is essential to regional development,” expressing his support for the importance of local community diplomacy.

On the second day, the diplomats attended the 2026 Odaesan Cultural Festival in Pyeongchang, watched festival programs, and sampled temple cuisine as part of the Woljeongsa Vegan Gourmet Festival. They then visited the National Museum of the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty to view the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty and Uigwe royal protocols and learn about Korea's record-keeping culture and the historical significance of Odaesan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.