- Opening ceremony of the KOICA Exhibition Hall, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, takes place on May 17

- Hall features exhibits on international development cooperation activities led by KOICA, ways forward for cooperation within the international community

- Special exhibition on climate change and climate response on display

- Various immersive activities for youths and experiences such as eco-friendly soap-making available

- Visitors can experience ODA (Official Development Assistance) through media art, QR codes and other digital technology

The KOICA Exhibition Hall, Korea’s sole exhibition hall dedicated to development cooperation, has opened. The hall offers information and diverse activities on development cooperation to visitors, with a focus on the young generation who are to lead the future of sustainable development.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) held an opening ceremony for the KOICA Exhibition Hall, located at the agency’s headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, on May 17.  

The KOICA Exhibition Hall was established to promote ODA and KOICA to the Korean people and emphasize the role of development cooperation in addressing global challenges. The hall seeks to raise interest on our sustainable future and encourage people’s participation.

The KOICA Exhibition Hall consists of five sections: (1) Prologue (2) Permanent Exhibition (3) Special Exhibition (4) Multimedia Experience (5) Epilogue. The space is designed to display KOICA’s growth along with the ODA history of Korea, global issues linked to KOICA’s main sectors, and the importance of values, SDGs, and international development cooperation in solving global problems.  

The promenade leading up to the KOICA Exhibition Hall from the main gate of KOICA headquarters also boasts lush scenery, offering visitors a pleasant and peaceful getaway in the city of Seongnam. The Hall aims to serve as a landmark ODA spot in Korea.

The KOICA Exhibition Hall was previously operated from June 2010 as the KOICA Global Village, hosting 12 exhibitions and activities and attracting some 368,570 visitors. Operations were suspended due to COVID-19 from early 2020, and the space has re-opened after a renewal.

While the KOICA Global Village focused on information on the culture of partner countries and various hands-on activities, the KOICA Exhibition Hall spotlights international issues such as climate change and the significance of international development cooperation, led by KOICA. The hall features exhibition and education programs on solving problems in partner countries through international development cooperation, mainly targeting young adults.

Using digital techniques including media art and QR codes, the hall allows visitors to engage in activity-centered interactive exhibits and thus learn about international development cooperation and ODA in an easy, entertaining way.

The theme of this exhibit is “A Sustainable Future is Coming (ODA),” highlighting international efforts for a sustainable world. The exhibition includes efforts by Korea and the international community to solve problems in development cooperation, KOICA’s efforts as a leading global development cooperation agency, and a feature display on the UN SDGs. The special exhibition focuses on SDG 13 (Climate Action), highlighting ways forward for the future generation and possible solutions through development cooperation.

Additionally, education and experience programs will be available for parents and children to learn about sustainable social roles and career development. A program for youths aged 13-18 will provide information on various professional paths in international development cooperation. Families of 2-5 can engage in activities to reduce waste in everyday life, in addition to an eco-friendly soap-making session.

Education viewing, docents, and educational experience programs can be booked in advanced on Naver’s reservation platform. Docents and educational programs are only available to those who have made reservations in advance, while exhibition viewing is available on-site. To reserve a group tour of over 20 people, please call the KOICA Exhibition Hall (+82-031-777-2646).

The KOICA Exhibition Hall begins operations on May 18, and is open Mon.-Sat. (open only on second and fourth Saturdays) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are free. Reservations for docent guides are available 5 times a day (10:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30) upon reservation.

In attendance at the opening ceremony of the KOICA Exhibition Hall were Acting President of KOICA Lee Yun Young, Vice President of KOICA Hong Seok-hwa (Office of Development Strategy and Partnership), Director-General for Development Cooperation Won Do-yeon of the Ministry of Foreign Affiars, Director Lee Kyung-heum of K-Petro, Director Kim Hwan-kung of the Korea Employment Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and Director-General for Education Lee Sang-ho of the Gyeonggi-do Seongnam Office of Education.

Acting President of KOICA Lee Yun Young said, “The KOICA Exhibition Hall, which has been renewed after a three-year hiatus, is designed to inform the public on the efforts and achievements of development cooperation implemented by Korea, and to experience tasks that require our everyday efforts through digital media technology.” Acting President Lee added, “I hope that the Korean people will support and show interest in development cooperation through the KOICA Exhibition Hall, and that future generations will imagine new hope and change, sympathizing with global issues and participating in their resolution.”

The interior of the KOICA Exhibition Hall, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The permanent exhibition “A Sustainable Future is Coming (ODA)” displays various global issues in development cooperation and the efforts of Korea and the international community.

The interior of the KOICA Exhibition Hall, located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The special exhibition displays various issues related to SDG 13 (Climate action) and will address other SDGs in the future.

Media art on display in the KOICA Exhibition Hall.