MBABANE — Bringing together the vibrant traditions of Korea and the warm spirit of Eswatini, the Eswatini Branch of the National Unification Advisory Council (under the Middle and Southern Africa Council, led by Branch President Lee Dong-min and Eswatini Chapter Head Jung Ho-young) successfully hosted the “2026 Peace and Unification Empathy Event” on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

Held from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Khanisile Hee Yeon Memorial Medical Centre, the community-driven program drew approximately 64 participants, including students and parents from the Eswatini Korean School, local Eswatini residents, children, Korean expatriates, and distinguished guests.

The event was designed to foster cross-cultural bonds and deepen understanding of the Korean Peninsula's peace and unification among overseas Korean youth and local communities.

A Harmonious Opening of Traditional Arts

The gathering commenced with an official opening ceremony and a solemn national salute, followed by an energetic exchange of cultural performances. Students from the Eswatini Korean School electrified the venue with a dynamic Samulnori (traditional Korean percussion) performance, showcasing the rich rhythms of Korean heritage. In a touching display of mutual appreciation, local Eswatini children delivered a special performance of their own, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Hands-On Activities Cementing Unity

Following the performances, attendees engaged in a series of interactive, hands-on activities symbolizing peace, cooperation, and harmony:

Traditional Mask Crafting: Participants designed and crafted traditional Korean masks, experiencing the aesthetic beauty of Korean culture firsthand.
Kite Flying: Attendees launched traditional kites into the Eswatini sky, carrying symbolic wishes for peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula.
‘Breaking the Gourd’ Game (Bak-Tteut-Gi): A crowd favorite that required active teamwork, bringing participants of all ages together to break a celebratory gourd and cheer for harmony.

Sharing Warmth Through Korean Cuisine

The cultural festivities concluded with a communal food-sharing session featuring authentic Korean dishes. The meal provided a warm space for cross-cultural connection, allowing guests to experience the signature warmth and hospitality (Jeong) of Korean dining culture while posing for commemorative photos.

Organizers noted that the event served as a dual-purpose bridge: instilling a deep sense of national identity and unification awareness in young overseas Koreans, while introducing Eswatini locals to Korean culture and the universal message of peace.

The Eswatini branch reaffirmed its commitment to organizing similar public diplomacy initiatives to strengthen grassroots ties and promote global awareness of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

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