'Presidential Diplomacy Embraces the World'... Special Exhibition on Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia and Oceania

On view in the first-floor special exhibition gallery from November 3 through September next year
A 2.5-meter display tower and an analog archive room set up

A special exhibition exploring gifts received by presidents from countries around the world through summit diplomacy, and their links to culture, art and history, will open.

The Presidential Archives of the National Archives of Korea, under the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs, located in Sejong City

The Presidential Archives of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will host the special exhibition “Presidential Diplomacy Embraces the World: Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia and Oceania” in its special exhibition gallery on the first floor in Sejong City, from November 3 through September 26, 2027.

This is the third installment in a series showcasing presidential gifts by continent. Following the 2024 “Africa and Central Asia” exhibition and the 2025 “Europe” exhibition, the series expands to Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia and Oceania, bringing the continental special exhibitions to a close.

A total of 56 presidential gifts will be displayed, highlighting diplomatic exchanges between leaders and the cultural and artistic essence of each region. The exhibition focuses on illuminating the humanistic spirit embodied in the gifts, rather than presenting them as mere souvenirs.

At the entrance, a video introducing the exhibition’s overarching theme—“Gifts exchanged by national leaders are the language of diplomacy”—will be screened.

Part 1, “Promises of Summit Diplomacy,” features a 2.5-meter-high display tower showcasing 19 gifts. Commemorative plaques, paintings and speeches trace the origins and development of relations between countries. The melody of “Yeonga (Pokarekare Ana),” a traditional New Zealand folk song, will also be used as background music in recognition of New Zealand’s participation in the Korean War.

Part 2, “Leaders Who Spoke Through Culture and Art,” uses traditional musical instruments, sculptures and paintings to show how culture and art have helped ease tensions and maintain peace in diplomatic settings. To deepen visitors’ engagement, explanatory text has been printed not only on display cases but also on the floor and walls.

Part 3, “The Spirit Embodied in Gifts,” conveys the values of hospitality, courtesy and conviction through a variety of presentation techniques. In the archive room, a collage of photographs from presidential overseas visits and light boxes allow visitors to experience the material qualities of old film and printed photographs.

On November 2, a day before the opening, Vice Minister of the Interior and Safety Kim Min-jae visited the Presidential Archives to review preparations for the exhibition.

“Please ensure the exhibition is carefully managed so visitors can enjoy it safely and comfortably,” Kim said. “I hope this exhibition will give more people the opportunity to rediscover the value of presidential records and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of summit diplomacy.”

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