ASEAN Forum Members at Beopju Temple

Chungcheongbuk-do --- The local government of the Chungcheongbukdo province hosted the Cultural and Industrial Tour for the ASEAN Forum last November 23-24, 2025. 

“It started as an initiative within the ASEAN Forum and committees, which provided incredible support in planning and coordinating the trip. With their help, we partnered closely with institutions and local authorities in Chungcheongbuk-do Province to make this possible. It truly felt like seven stars aligning to illuminate this journey,” Tep Vilbolboth, the ASEAN Forum representative, said in an interview. 

Tour at heritage and cultural sites

During the first day, the 41 KDIS students from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam went to Mt. Soraksan and had a tour around Beopju Temple where they learned about the national treasures and the importance of preserving heritage for a nation’s identity. The students also went to Cheongnamdae, where five past presidents of South Korea resided.

Government-hosted Korean dinner

The Deputy Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do for Economic Affairs, Mr. Lee Bok-won, hosted the dinner in a traditional Korean restaurant. During his welcome remarks, Deputy Governor Lee stated that he hopes that “connections built here  may pave ways for future collaboration.” He added that “together, we can create for the global market.”

Deputy Governor Lee (left) and Ms. Antick (right) delivering their remarks

KDIS Ph.D. student Antick Rahman also mentioned that the goal of this two-day activity was to “strengthen the collaborations between ASEAN countries and Korea.”

On November 24, the students went to the Chungbuk Technopark Secondary Battery Stability Center and learned how batteries for industrial uses are produced. A seminar was also conducted to provide knowledge on the current positioning and contribution of South Korea in the global supply chain of secondary batteries.

Investment Promotion Seminar on November 24

On the same day, Mr. Boksoo Choi, the Commissioner of the Chungbuk Free Economic Zone Authority, welcomed the ASEAN Forum members to the Chungcheongbuk-do Investment Promotion Seminar. During his speech, Mr. Choi said, “I welcome you not just as students but future leaders… let’s keep bridging Korea and the ASEAN.”

Commissioner Choi (left) and Mr. Vilbolboth (right) delivering their remarks

In the seminar, the students were oriented on the industrial complexes in the province, as well as the facilities that make it an attractive region for foreign investors, such as its world-class bioclusters. Mr. Choi mentioned that “in this changing environment where competition in advanced technology is intensifying, I hope you remember that Chungcheong is a good partner,” and thanked the members for their time in attending the seminar.

In his speech, Mr. Vilbolboth said that this activity is “more than a visit, but is an opportunity to learn and be inspired… every story and conversation helps us grow as future leaders.”

From left to right: Mr. Daffaa, Ms. Erni, Mr. Solah, and Ms. Hay Zin raising inquiries during the open discussion

During the open discussion, students raised their questions - questions not only about the investment dimension but also about broader regional development issues. Mr. Daffaa Dewa Al-Ghiffari asked about the province’s transformation into an industrial region and how its growth aligned with national development strategies. Ms. Erni Suryaningrum inquired about the specific products or materials produced by Green Tweed — a company that presented during the seminar. Mr. Ayubi Muhammad Solah asked questions about the company’s sustainability efforts, while Ms. Hay Zin Zu asked about the investment packages and incentives offered by the government. These questions demonstrated the students’ eagerness to connect their KDIS classroom learnings to real-world cases in Korea.

Students at the HP&C

The final activity concluded with a tour of HP&C at the Osong Life Science Complex, where students observed the company’s advanced technological innovations. 

“The main goal is to truly understand Chungcheongbuk-do’s culture and industries while building meaningful connections between ASEAN students and local institutions. It’s a chance to learn, exchange perspectives, and explore opportunities for future collaboration — all under the inspiration of those seven stars that lit up this journey,” Vilbolboth stated in an interview.