Behind Seoul’s formal diplomatic circuit, a quieter kind of international engagement is taking shape. The Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Seoul (ASAS) has grown into a unique platform for cultural exchange, charitable work and cross-cultural friendship, bringing together the partners of ambassadors and heads of mission in Korea. Founded in 2009 and formally established in 2014, the organization has developed into a space where respect, cooperation and human connection take precedence even amid complex global challenges. With around 50 members — roughly half the number of embassies in Korea — ASAS carries out a range of projects and initiatives aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue, friendship and philanthropic collaboration, while strengthening ties with the Korean people. Catalina Bolaños González, spouse of Ecuador’s Ambassador to Korea Patricio Troya Suárez, has been serving as ASAS president since July 2025 for a one-year term, succeeding former president Natalia Federighi de Cuello of the Dominican Republic. “My main inspiration has been to continue the legacy
Seoul’s ambassador spouses association turns diplomatic life into cultural exchange
in News
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