Running from October 23 to November 11 across the Busan metropolitan area under the message "From Memory to Participation, Busan's Peace Created Together"

Featuring the 81st United Nations Day Commemorative Ceremony on October 23, the World Peace Forum on November 2, and various other programs

Busan, South Korea — The Busan Metropolitan Government announced on October 22 that it will host the "2026 UN Weeks in Busan" starting tomorrow, October 23, through November 11, across the city.

The upcoming event will be held under the core message: "From Memory to Participation, Busan's Peace Created Together."

UN Weeks in Busan is a designated peace week held annually around United Nations Day (October 24) in Busan—home to the world's only United Nations Memorial Cemetery—to share the profound meaning of peace with citizens. Marking its 7th iteration this year, the event places special emphasis on making peace easily accessible in daily life while allowing citizens to reflect on its value through active participation and hands-on experiences.

A Diverse Lineup of 7 Core Programs

This year’s UN Weeks kicked off in July with the launch ceremony of "UNs," a diplomatic supporter group composed of domestic and international youths in the region, setting the stage for a total of seven distinct programs.

Major programs include:

-The 81st UN Day Commemorative Ceremony (October 23)
-A Gratitude Luncheon for Diplomatic Envoys and Participating Nations (October 23)
-The Citizen-Centric Peace Content Program "ONE PEACE" (October 16 – November 1)
-The World Peace Forum (November 2)

81st UN Day Commemorative Ceremony at the UN Memorial Cemetery

Tomorrow (October 23) at 11:00 AM, the 81st UN Day Commemorative Ceremony will take place at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery.

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo, diplomatic delegations from 10 countries with fallen soldiers interred at the cemetery, heads of foreign consular offices in Busan, veterans' organizations, and military personnel are scheduled to attend. The gathering will honor UN veterans and express profound gratitude to the nations that participated in the Korean War.

As a special ancillary exhibition running from today (October 22) through October 30 within the UN Memorial Cemetery, an exhibition themed "Peace Blossoming Together Across 22 Nations" will display the national flags and national flowers of the participating nations. This exhibition aims to provide citizens with a meaningful space to reflect on the history of allied nations and the sacrifices of veterans while sharing messages of remembrance and gratitude.

Strengthening Citizen-Engaging Peace Content

This year places a heightened focus on interactive content, allowing citizens to directly experience the history and significance of peace. The flagship program, "Mobile Mission Room Escape," has expanded its operational footprint from the UN Memorial Cemetery to the Busan Citizens Park.

Titled "Connecting Peace - ONE PEACE (WE GO TOGETHER, ONE PEACE)," the program is a digital-based interactive initiative that connects the UN Memorial Cemetery and the Busan Citizens Park—the former site of the US Army's Camp Hialeah—into a single continuous journey of peace.

Using smartphones, citizens can complete missions to learn about UN veterans and Busan's rich history of peace. Exhibition and experience pop-ups, as well as photo zones, have also been established to help the public engage with the concept of peace in a friendly and accessible way.

World Peace Forum: Exploring Global Peace Diplomacy

The World Peace Forum will be held on November 2 under the theme "Peace Diplomacy Connecting the World Through K-Culture."

Featuring a keynote address by the Chairman of the Kim Koo Foundation, an international organization roundtable, and thematic presentations, the forum will discuss peace diplomacy through K-Culture and Busan’s expanding international role.

In particular, the forum will examine Busan's role as both the "Host City of the 2028 UN Ocean Conference" and a global maritime city through the lens of peace and solidarity, mapping out future directions for international cooperation and peace.

Mayor Jeon Jae-soo's Vision

"Busan is the world's only city housing the UN Memorial Cemetery, holding a historic legacy of peace defended by the sacrifices of UN veterans and the solidarity of the international community," Mayor Jeon Jae-soo stated. He added, "I hope this year's UN Weeks in Busan serves as a meaningful opportunity for citizens to reflect on that history and directly experience the value of peace, further evolving into an event where our citizens and the global community build peace together."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]