On 13 March 2026, Asia Centre hosted the launch of the Honorary Office of the Korea Democracy Foundation (KDF) at its Research Hub in Bangkok, Thailand.
It completed the reciprocal establishment of honorary offices by the Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation as both organisations mark a new phase in their cooperation to advance democratic dialogue and regional collaboration across Asia.
In attendance was the delegation from KDF, which included Mr. Lee Jae-oh – President of KDF, Mr. Lee Young-je – Director of the Exchange and Cooperation Office at KDF, and Mr. Kim Chanho – Team Leader of the Global Alliance Team.
The event was also honoured by the presence of His Excellency Mr. Park Yongmin – Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Thailand, and Mr. Seungho Han – Second Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
Dr. James Gomez – Regional Director of Asia Centre, welcomed guests and highlighted that the launch represents an important reciprocal step in strengthening the partnership between Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation. He noted that the long standing collaboration reflects shared efforts to promote democratic dialogue, research, and engagement across the region.
In his remarks, KDF President Lee Jae-oh expressed his thanks to the Asia Centre and noted that Centre’s existing memberships in various democracy networks makes it a valued partner. He said Asia Centre, in partnership with KDF, could become part of a wider network of institutes working together to promote democratic values and cooperation across the region.
Ambassador Park Yongmin congratulated both organisations and recognised Asia Centre’s democratic credentials accumulated over the years through its work. He conveyed the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand to facilitate the partnership between the Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation.
Reflecting the diverse partnerships and collaborative networks between Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation in advancing democratic dialogue and cooperation across the region, also present at the event were Dr. Pandit Chanrochanakit – International Democracy Goodwill Ambassador 2023/2024 of KDF and Associate Professor at Chulalongkorn University, Dr. Akiko Takayanagi – Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC), and Patporn Phoothong – Researcher, Education for Peace in Violent Conflict, Salzburg Global, alongside members of Asia Centre’s Research Hub and AI Hub.
The Bangkok launch builds on an earlier Seoul launch on 30 September 2025, when Asia Centre established its Honorary Office, at the KDF International Center at the National Museum of Democracy in South Korea.
Following the launch, both organisations will be attending the Yushan Forum in Taipei, Taiwan from 16-17 March 2026. They will participate in panel discussions and meetings with the host Taiwan Asian Exchange Foundation.
Later in the year, from 2-4 June 2026 both Asia Centre and KDF will be back to Taipei to participate in the East Asia Democracy hosted by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. Immediately thereafter, from 10-12 June 2026, Asia Centre will join the KDF Global Democracy Summit, where the Centre will host the Global Democracy Coalition’s Asia Forum on 11 June 2026.
The reciprocal establishment of “Honorary Offices’ by both organisations speak to a long standing partnership between Asia Centre and the Korea Democracy Foundation. We can expect both organisations to strengthen and advance their joint cooperation and democratic engagement across Asia.
