Dili, 14 March 2026 (Média Democracia) – The Secretary of State for Arts and Culture (SEAK) held a meeting with the Secretary of ASEAN Korea-Centre to discuss exchange between the two nations, Timor-Leste and Korea. The activity took place at the SEAK building, Friday this week.
Secretary of State for Arts and Culture (SEAK) Jorge Soares Cristovão said, the Secretary-General of ASEAN Korea-Center is visiting Timor-Leste, and earlier had a meeting with His Excellency the Prime Minister, and today also met with SEAK to discuss work to be looked at in the future.
“The main point is, Kim asked that we strengthen and have collaboration between Timor-Leste and Korea, as Timor-Leste is a new member of ASEAN and Korea is also part of ASEAN, so he asked for Timor-Leste’s participation, especially in cultural exchanges to promote culture between Timor-Leste and Korea.” Said Secretary of State for Arts and Culture, SEAK, Jorge Soares Cristovão
He also underlined that in September 2026, there will be an activity in Korea and he’s been invited Timor-Leste to participate in that event.
“In September, there’s an activity in Korea, we also received information from the Secretary-General and would like to invite Timor-Leste’s participation, especially those who will present traditional dances, as well as our artisans to present in Korea, so he asked the government, especially SEAK, for opportunities like this, which we didn’t have before, because Timor-Leste is not yet a full member of ASEAN, so this is a moment for Timor-Leste to get involved in this participation.” Said Secretary of State for Arts and Culture, SEAK
He also informed that SEAK will accompany the Secretary-General of ASEAN Korea-Center to visit the Arte Moris group, the Rede Souru na’in group, and Tais shops.
“This is what we started discussing today, and they also asked us to showcase our traditional cultures. In this situation, we also have coordination with our Timor-Leste Embassy in Korea, it’s not just about funding, but the government also needs to allocate funds to invite our artists. Today, we spoke to strengthen and further develop our cooperation for the future. During this visit, Mr. Kim also wants to see our artists directly, so I told the Secretary-General Kim that I’ll accompany him to visit the places we discussed, and we’ll make an agenda to visit the Arte Moris group, Rede Souru na’in group, and Tais shops. This will be a reference for him.” Said Secretary of State for Arts and Culture, Jorge Soares Cristovão
On the other part, the Secretary-General of ASEAN Korea-Center, Kim Jae-Shing, said he will visit the national museum and cultural sites.
“After today’s meeting at SEAK, from Korea’s side, we’d like to visit with SEAK, who will take us to visit national museums and cultural sites, because we want to see Timor’s culture and identity, and at the same time, we want to buy some cultural products.” Said Kim Jae-Shing
This activity is a collaboration and participation from ASEAN member states together with Korea to create an exchange that will promote Timor-Leste, Korea, and ASEAN member states, and also to discuss how to see human resource capacity building for Timor-Leste, and to see preparation processes in the future.
Reporting : Nélia
Photo : Nélia