Korea Forum

Campaign

Beyond Soft Power: From K-Wave to K-Initiative

Korea captured the world’s imagination through culture. Can it now help shape what comes next?

Presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom and the Korean Cultural Centre UK, ‘Korea Forum 2026’ brings together thought leaders from business, culture, academia, and diplomacy to explore how Korea’s cultural influence is evolving into global leadership across innovation, industry, and ideas.

From semiconductors to storytelling, from food to fandom, Korea has transformed from an unlikely success story into one of the world’s most dynamic cultural and economic forces. As the world embraces K-pop, K-drama, K-food, and Korean technology, a new question emerges: can Korea move beyond cultural influence to help shape the systems, standards, and ideas that will define the future?

Following the first edition, ‘Korea Forum: Across Futures,’ held in April, the second edition, will take place on 29 June at the Royal Society of Arts, exploring Korea’s emerging vision for global leadership in the next era.