MANILA, Philippines – The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines was hailed the best among 35 Korean Cultural Centers all over the world.

This was revealed by the KCC in Manila, after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism hosted this year’s meeting last March 4-7, 2025 at the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) Center in Seoul, and at the National Library of Korea in Sejong.

During the meeting, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In Chon chaired a joint workshop and discussion for participants to share their experiences in operating KCCs and “raising Korea’s cultural standing on the global stage.”

According to KCC Manila, being hailed as the most outstanding Korean Cultural Center has proven that programs such as interactive exhibitions in collaboration with the National Museum of Korea; a webtoon exhibition with the Korea Creative Content Agency; and a K-drama original soundtrack performance by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, has elevated the public’s awareness of Korean culture in the Philippines.

KCC Director Kim Myeongjin presents programs and events hosted by the KCC in Manila during the annual meeting. Photo courtesy of Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (Official Photographer : Lee Jun Young)

“Throughout last year, the KCC also hosted events like the Korean Film Festival, the Philippine-Korea Culture Exchange Festival, Korean beauty-related programs, and the Korea Festival, which promotes Korean culture in Manila and Cebu in partnership with the cultural counterparts in the Philippines like the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Cultural Center in the Philippines (CCP) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP),” KCC said in a news release.

In his remarks during the annual gathering of KCC directors and cultural promotion officers, Minister Yu enjoined all to “actively promote Korean culture”, especially during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit slated on October to November this year at Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Korea.