This article covers cultural relations, education, tourism and people-to-people links between India and the Republic of Korea (ROK), together with the Indian community in the ROK. It is based on the MEA brief of July 2026, and the community figure given is the brief's estimate as of that date.

According to the MEA brief of July 2026, the 13th century Korean historical text "SamgukYusa" ("Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms") records that Princess Suriratna from Ayodhya came to Korea in the year 48 AD. She married King Kim-Suro of the erstwhile Gaya Confederacy and became Queen Heo Hwang-ok, and many Koreans trace their ancestry to this lineage. Some scholars believe that Buddhism reached Korea by the maritime route with the arrival of Princess Suriratna and her brother, Monk Jangyu. The First Lady of the ROK, Ms. Kim Jung-sook, visited India from 04-07 November 2018 as Guest of Honour for the "Deepotsav Festival" and took part in the ground breaking ceremony for a memorial for Queen Heo at Ayodhya.

Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore wrote a short poem, "Lamp of the East", about Korea in 1929. The brief states that it is remembered by Koreans and is mentioned in Korean school textbooks, and a bust of Tagore was unveiled in Seoul in May 2011.

The brief lists a series of gifts and memorials in the ROK:

  • In March 2014, a Bodhi Tree sapling was presented to the ROK at a ceremony in the Korea National Arboretum.
  • In July 2014, a bust of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at the Hongbeop-sa temple in Busan, and in 2014 a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was installed at Yeonji Park in Gimhae, part of which has been developed as India-Korea Friendship Park.
  • During his State Visit in February 2019, PM Modi unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Yonsei University and gifted a Bodhi sapling to Gimhae City. The brief also records that a Bodhi Tree sapling and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi gifted during that visit were installed at Yonsei University, Songdo Campus, Incheon.
  • As part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, a Korea-India Peace Park was unveiled on 3 June 2019 and 150 trees were planted at Independence Park, Seodaemun district, Seoul.
  • In May 2021, ICCR gifted a 3.3 feet bronze statue of Lord Buddha to the Tongdo-sa Temple, the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

In February-March 2023, around 100 Korean Buddhist monks of the Jogye order completed a 43 days walking pilgrimage to Buddhist sites in India. The Embassy of India, with the International Buddhist Confederation, took part in the Seoul Buddhist Expo on 2-5 April 2026. Under the "Ek Ped Maa ke Naam" initiative, the Embassy and the Indian diaspora planted 50 plum trees at Boramae Park, Seoul, in March 2025.

Cultural agreements and institutions

The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) has MoUs with Korean universities, associations and cities. In 2021 it signed an MoU with Gimhae city and ICCR which envisages construction of the Gimhae India Cultural Exchange Centre in Gimhae. It signed MoUs with the Seongdong Foundation of Arts and Culture and Samsung Welstory in 2024, and with the Eunpyeong Foundation of Arts and Culture and Busan University of Foreign Studies in 2025.

During the State visit of April 2026, the two countries extended their Cultural Exchange Programme (2026-2030) and signed MoUs on Cultural and Creative Industries and on Sports. India also announced the donation of 200 artifacts to the ROK, to be housed at the Gimhae-India Cultural Exchange Centre.

Festivals and events

  • The 11th edition of Sarang, the Festival of India in the ROK, was held in October 2025, with art exhibitions, Indian classical dance, music, films and culinary activities.
  • The 13th Indian Film Festival was held in November 2025 in cities including Seoul, Yangsan, Gwangju, Incheon, Miryang and Busan.
  • The Embassy hosted the 21st edition of "Celebrating India" with the North-East Institute of Fashion Technology (NEIFT).
  • The inaugural India Day was held on 16 May 2026 at Yeouido Hangang Park, the Embassy's first large-scale outdoor cultural festival, with booths from the Hand looms Export Promotion Council (HEPC), the Coffee Board of India and region-specific ODOPs.
  • For the 12th International Day of Yoga, events were held in Jeju, Busan, Seoul and Nami Island, with the main celebration at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, on 21 June with the support of Viveka Yoga.

Film and media

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan led the first ever ministerial delegation from India to the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), held on 17-26 September 2025, and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM). India set up a Bharat Pavilion at both, highlighting the WAVES Bazaar initiative and promoting India as a filming destination, and a "Bharat Parv" was organised in Busan. Dr. Murugan also met members of the National Assembly's culture, sports and tourism committee and of the Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship group. In November 2025, Ms. Jaewon Kim, a Member of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee of the National Assembly, attended the 56th International Film Festival of India in Goa as "Guest of Honour" for the "Waves Film Bazaar".

Tourism and education

To promote tourism, the Embassy took part in Korean travel fairs including the Seoul International Travel Fair 2025 and held seminars and roadshows with the State Governments of Assam, Goa, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Its roadshow "Incredible India - Explore the Extraordinary" at Sevit Island on 16 March 2026 brought together approximately 120 stakeholders from the Korean travel industry and media.

The brief states that the Embassy engages with universities and institutions on student exchanges and research collaboration. During the April 2026 State visit, the two countries agreed to expand educational cooperation through exchanges, joint research, scholarships and stronger university partnerships, and to promote Korean and Indian language learning.

The Indian community

The total number of Indian nationals living in the ROK is estimated at around 18,000. Most are students, scholars, professionals and their families, and many professionals in IT, shipping and automobiles have arrived in recent years, working with companies such as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, TATA Daewoo, TCS and Coupang.

According to the brief, most Indian students and scholars in Korean universities are pursuing post-graduate and Ph.D programmes, mostly in STEM fields. Several Indian diaspora associations are active in the ROK.