1. The Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) will hold the signboard-hanging ceremony of the Center for ASEAN and Indian Studies and an event to celebrate its opening on February 1.

※ The Center for ASEAN and Indian Studies has been established under the KNDA, a government-run research organization, as part of the government’s diplomatic efforts to broaden the ROK’s diplomatic horizons and increase its roles and contributions as a middle-power country in the region, as well as its bid to establish research infrastructure that will provide theoretical foundations for the implementation of policies.

2. The opening ceremony will begin with opening remarks by KNDA Chancellor Cho Byung-jae, which will be followed by congratulatory remarks by Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, Ambassador of Singapore to the ROK Yip Wei Kiat, and Ambassador of India to the ROK Vikram Doraiswami. The ceremony will bring together ambassadors from key ASEAN countries, including Ambassador of Vietnam to the ROK Nguyen Vu Tu and Ambassador of Myanmar to the ROK Thura Thet Oo Maung, as well as major figures from home and abroad.

3. The Center for ASEAN and Indian Studies will develop mid- to long-term strategies to implement the New Southern Policy; analyze diplomatic issues with countries in ASEAN and the Indian Ocean region; strengthen networks with domestic and foreign research institutes for ASEAN and Indian studies; and carry out public diplomacy activities to improve understanding and awareness among the people of ASEAN countries and India.

* unofficial translation