CEO & President Yongsung Kim was inaugurated as the first President of the Brazilian Culture Center. In attendance at the inaugural ceremony, which was convened at the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, Seoul, on March 15, were more than 90 people, including Brazilian Ambassador to Korea Edmundo Fujita; Seoul National University President Yeoncheon Oh; lawmaker Hyeyoung Won; Hyundai Group Chairwoman Jungeun Hyun; and DICE CEO Tony Helsham. The opening ceremony for the culture center was also convened on the same day.

Korea and Brazil, which formed diplomatic ties in 1959, are both fast rising on the global stage thanks to the expansion of their strategic relationships with emerging economies around the world. Amid a growing volume of personnel exchange and trade between Korea and Brazil, the Brazilian Culture Center will play a bridging role linking the two countries. With support from Doosan Infracore, the center will support the translation and publication of academic books, hold academic conferences regarding Brazil, and organize Cultural Week, during which lectures by invited speakers, a movie festival and exhibitions will be held.

At the opening ceremony for the center, Brazilian Ambassador to Korea Edmundo Fujita said, “Despite the geographical distance and cultural difference between the two countries, active exchanges have been conducted.” He added, “In the wake of the inauguration of Mr. Yongsung Kim as President of the Brazilian Culture Center, the two countries are expected to expand their exchanges in the realms of culture, academia and personnel in the coming years.”

CEO Kim, who doubles as President of the Brazilian Culture Center, said, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of Korean immigration into Brazil, and we see a growing need to broaden the scope and depth of bilateral exchange to include comprehensive areas of economy, society and culture.” He added, “I will try my best to ensure that the center will serve as a venue for cultural and academic exchanges.”