Foreign Cultural Centers in Seoul

• Address

• #339-1 Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-754-9831

• Opening Hours

• 09:00-18:00

• Closed on Saturdays and public holidays

• Opening Hours of Library

• 13:00-18:00 (Mon to Fri)

The Goethe-Institut Korea was established in 1959 with the aim of offering German language learning programs to Korean citizens and promoting international cultural exchanges between Korea and Germany. The institute’s main activities include organization and support of various arts and cultural events, such as music, film, art, literature, dance and academic research, aimed at expanding the understanding of German culture among the Korean public. The institute contains a library, concert hall, language lab and cafeteria and offers consultation about studying in Germany.

• Address

• #33-6 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-798-1695

• Opening Hours

• Library 10:00-15:00 (Mon to Fri), Exhibition Hall 10:00-15:00 & 17:00-19:00 (Mon to Fri)

• Closed on Saturdays and public holidays

• Note

• For admission to the library you need to provide your ID card. This also gives you free access to
  the Exhibition Hall.

Launched on October 23, 1994, by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as part of its effort to promote international cooperation, the Mexico Center aims to globally promote and provide information on both Mexican arts and culture. The center established in Korea is one the three Mexican Centers opened in Asia, so far, the other two being in Japan and Iran. Its main activities are to support events related with Mexican culture, including lectures, exhibitions, theater, film and music, held for both Korean and Mexican citizens.

• Address

• #388-8 Gwangjang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-446-4199

• Facilities, Events and Programs

• 1. Mongolian Language School
  2. Video and Audio Room for Mongolian music and films
  3. Korea Nadam Festival
  4. Mongolian books and newspapers
  5. Mongolian paintings and photography
  6. Mongolian cultural festival

The cultural center was established as a result of a request by Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital city, with joint support from both Seoul and Ulaanbaatar city administrations. The center was open on June 4, 2001.

• Address

• Heungkuk Life Bldg. Sinmunno 1-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-3702-0600

• Closed on public holidays

The British Council in Seoul was opened in 1973 with the aim of supporting and promoting cultural exchange and education. It has since then engaged in a variety of culture-related activities such as consultation about studying in Britain, English learning, distribution of information about Britain and British people, and others. The British Center opened by HM Queen Elizabeth II, in April 1999, provides non-stop services providing general information about Britain, including education, exams and tests, tourism and business.

• Address

• #364 Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-570-9713

• Main activities

• Conferences and seminars

  Exhibitions, concerts, film and festivals

  Hebrew courses

  Library for Jewish Studies

  Exploring Israel and other programs

Located in downtown Gangnam, the Israel Cultural Center operates a library specializing in Israeli and Jewish Studies, and a Hebrew language center that offers beginner, intermediate and advanced level courses. The center plays an important role in promoting the friendly relationship between Korea and Israel. Working independently or jointly with the Embassy of Israel, the center provides a venue for international symposiums, seminars, exhibitions, concerts, performing arts, harp contests, conferences and other events aimed at boosting Korea-Israel cultural exchanges.

• Address

• #809-10 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-3452-8182

• Opening Hours

• 10:00-18:00 (Mon to Fri), 10:00-12:00 (Sat)

• Closed on public holidays

The Istanbul Cultural Center is a private organization established in 1998 by a Turkish citizen seeking to promote mutual understanding between Korea and Turkey. Since its establishment, the center has been committed to various cultural exchange activities involving books, videos, fellowships, academic exchange programs, Turkish language programs and tourism. Lately, the center has been focused on collecting the latest information about Turkey and its neighbors by collaborating with over 200 international schools in Turkey and 3 colleges in Central Asia.

• Address

• 4th Floor, Era Bldg. #273-2 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-796-0634

• Opening Hours

• 14:00-17:00 (Wed), Library 09:00-18:00 (Mon to Fri, closed during lunchtime)

Housed in the Italian Embassy in Hannam-dong, Seoul, the Italian Cultural Institute was established with the aim of promoting cultural and personnel exchanges between Korea and Italy. The main activities of the institute include operation of a library and language programs, consultation about studying in Italy, and organization of and support for various cultural events aimed at expanding mutual understanding between Korea and Italy. A visit to the institute requires making a reservation in advance.

• Address

• #114-8 Unni-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-765-3011

• Opening Hours

• 09:30~17:00

• Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, the first Monday of each month, public holidays and during the Christmas and New Year holiday season

Since its opening in 1971, the center has been devoted to its aim of promoting cultural exchanges and expanding mutual understanding between Korea and Japan via providing the Korean public with various information about Japan. The center contains a library equipped with a collection of about 22,000 books, a Silk Gallery and New Century Hall. It offers a great variety of cultural and educational programs including Japanese language learning, studying in Japan, and personnel exchange.

• Address

• #200 Naeja-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-733-8307

• Opening Hours

• 09:00-17:00 (Tue to Sat, closed during lunchtime, 12:00-13:00)

The China Cultural Center aims to provide the Korean public with the latest information about both modern and ancient China and its culture to help them better understand one of their closest neighbors. The center organizes various events to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries and offers educational programs not just about the Chinese language but inclusive of a wider knowledge about China and its people.

• Address

• 18th Floor, Uri Bldg., #10 Bongnaedong 1-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

• Telephone

• 02-317-8564

• Organization

• EduFrance / Study and education in France

  Media Library / Information center, club and cultural activities

  Arts and culture

  Film, TV and massmedia

  Academic cooperation, books

  French learning

  Science and technology

  Café de France

The French Cultural Center was opened in April 1968 in Jeokseon-dong in Jongno-gu, Seoul, with the aim of introducing French culture to Korea and promoting cultural exchanges between Korea and France. The center was moved to Sagan-dong in Jongno-gu in 1971 and then to the current building on June 12, 2001. The new building was designed to exhibit a modern aesthetic sensibility that sits well with the technological achievements made by Korea.

The center contains the Media Library, Information Center, Internet Room, Multimedia Room, Edu France, Conference Room and Visitor’s Lounge. The Media Library and Information Center contains a vast collection of books and cartoons on sociology, politics, current affairs, modern philosophy and literature, the French provinces and tourism. It also provides over 40 French newspapers and periodicals helping visitors gain access to the latest information about French people and culture.