Korea House, a venue for sports diplomacy and promoting K-culture during the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo 2026 Winter Olympics, has opened in central Milan.
An opening ceremony was held Feb. 5 (local time) at Villa Necchi Campiglio in downtown Milan. The villa is a modern architectural landmark designed in the 1930s and now operates as a museum. During the Games, Korea House is set to serve as a base for cheering on South Korea’s athletes and a key site for showcasing Korean culture.
Attendees included Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi Young; Korean Sport & Olympic Committee President Yoo Seung Min; Kim Jae Yeol, president of the International Skating Union, who was elected the previous day as an International Olympic Committee executive board member; Ban Ki Moon, former chair of the IOC Ethics Commission; and officials from the South Korean delegation.
In remarks, Choi said it was meaningful to welcome guests to a Korea House that brings together South Korea’s tradition and modernity in a venue “alive with aesthetics and elegance.” He urged visitors to experience the country’s stories through K-culture, including music, food and clothing.
Yoo said Korea House is “not just a space,” calling it a place where visitors can enjoy the diversity of Korean culture. He asked guests to spend time at Korea House and cheer for South Korean athletes.
Kim, who received congratulations from Choi and Yoo on his IOC executive board election, offered congratulations on the opening on behalf of IOC President Kirsty Coventry. He expressed gratitude for South Korea’s contributions to the Olympic movement and said he hoped for continued cooperation.
The opening ceremony featured a hanbok fashion show hosted by the Korea Craft & Design Foundation and a K-pop cover dance performance. Upbit, a sponsor of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, also delivered a donation to support the development of winter sports.
The ministry and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee have operated Korea House since the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. Initially used for team support, medalist interviews and sports diplomacy, it was expanded after the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics into a multipurpose cultural venue with broad participation from private and public institutions.
This Korea House can be visited through advance reservations on its website or on-site registration, and it will operate through the Olympic closing day on the 22nd.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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