Korean Consulate General hosts 2025 National Foundation Day in Chennai
Chennai, India – The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai hosted a reception to celebrate the National Foundation Day of Korea at the grand ballroom of the Leela Palace Hotel, in collaboration with the InKo Centre.
The evening reception was held on September 22nd, 2025, with Chang-nyun KIM, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai and Mr Venu Srinivasan, Goodwill Envoy for Culture and Diplomacy of the Republic of Korea, welcoming the guests.
Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, Member of Parliament, was the Guest of Honour. The event was attended by a total of 300 guests, including officials from the Tamil Nadu state government, the Central Government, the diplomatic and consular corps, and representatives from various businesses and institutions.
Chang-nyun KIM, Consul General, congratulated the reception with his welcome address, “The relevance of Korea and our culture has been steadily growing year after year, particularly in South India. From the deepening economic partnerships and expanding investments to the vibrant cultural exchanges, it is truly heartening to witness how close our two countries have become. Since establishing our office in Chennai more than a decade ago, we have received unwavering support from institutions and partners across South India. We are confident that this spirit of friendship and cooperation will continue to flourish in the years ahead.”
Kalanidhi Veeraswamy, Member of Parliament, highlighted the state’s effort to make it easier for foreign companies to do business in Tamil Nadu. The growing bilateral relationship between South Korea and Tamil Nadu, India, has led to fruitful economic development for both nations.
The event witnessed a music performance by Sanare, a 6-member music group from Korea. Sanare harmoniously blended traditional Korean and Western instruments to create music that appeals with its variety and timbre.
It was not their first time performing in India. They also performed at the same event in 2023 and revisited Chennai this year. A 6-member instrumentation, including the Gayageum, Daegum, Violin, Cello, Janggu, and Piano, was a surreal experience for Chennaites.
At the Chennai performance co-hosted by the Korean Consulate General in Chennai and InKo Centre, Sanarae strived to showcase the overall art of Korea.
Sanarae’s original songs, the Arirang series, and famous Indian songs were interpreted into Korean music, expressing the common emotion of love in a variety of colours. Speaking at the event, the team leader of the music group, Ms Jimin Jeon, shared, “ We were touched by the hospitality that the city showed to us during our last visit here. We are grateful to the Consul General for inviting us once again to perform for the National Foundation Day. We look forward to more performances in the future”. The team will be playing in Bengaluru at Christ University on September 24, 2025, and this event will be open to the public.
