The South Korean historical city of Andong, often referred to as the “spiritual capital” of Korea, has long been considered the heart of Korean Confucianism, traditional culture, and spiritual heritage. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, notably the Nakdong River, Andong still represents the Confucian ideal of living in harmony with nature.
On October 17–18, 2025, global business leaders, company CEOs, diplomats, influencers, and government officials convened in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, for the GBA Leaders Forum & Andong FAM Tour 2025. The forum, held at the city’s International Convention Center, was jointly organized by the Global Business Alliance (GBA) and the City of Andong.
Throughout the forum, Andong government officials presented the city’s rich Confucian heritage, emphasizing its enduring role as a center of spirituality and Korean ethics for centuries. The Andong International Convention Center, which also houses the World Confucian Culture Museum, provided an inspiring venue for discussions on global business, innovative, sustainable development, and cultural exchange.
The Global Business Alliance is a unique non-governmental association founded in 2019 that brings together Koreans and foreigners from over 65 countries, representing a wide range of business sectors. It serves as a dynamic platform for members to share innovative ideas, collaborate across borders, and work toward the mutual growth of businesses and their respective national economies.
In his welcoming address, Mr Mudassir Ali Cheema, GBA vice-chairman, highlighted that through GBA’s strong international network, he hopes to work closely with Andong to promote cooperation in smart agriculture, technology, education, and many other fields that connect local innovation with global expertise.
“Our mission is to create meaningful, eco-friendly, and sustainable development that benefits both the community and the world. With the great leadership of the Honorable Mayor and the warm support of Andong’s business community, I believe we can make Andong a model city of inclusive and future-oriented progress. Let us move forward together — with trust, friendship, and a win-win spirit — to build a brighter and more sustainable future for all.”
During the welcoming dinner, Andong Mayor Kwon Gi-chang extended a warm greeting to the participants, emphasizing their role as cultural ambassadors of Korea in their respective countries. He encouraged them to share Andong’s distinctive harmony of spiritual heritage and modern vitality with the world, highlighting the city’s enduring charm as the spiritual heart of Korea. At the Yemijeong pavilion, a traditional Korean dinner was served.
Musu Martha Sarah Langley, a diplomat from the Sierra Leone embassy in Korea, was one of the participants who shared her experience of the forum and tour to Pressenza Press.
“The business forum was important because every company presented their business beautifully, showing examples of their products. I really want my country could benefit from partnerships with some of these Korean companies. If they operate in Sierra Leone, it would be better for us as a country.” She spoke.
She further explained that the business and economic cooperation between the two nations is progressive. “We have many Korean fishing boats operating in our waters. They bring our fish products—like the red snapper, a sweet fish from Sierra Leone—to Korea. I remember one company even donated fish to our embassy once.”
“Many Sierra Leonean students come to Korea on scholarships. Some stay to work for a while before returning home. The Korean government also provides training opportunities for our civil servants. Every year, they support us with scholarships and capacity-building programs.”
In her three-year stay in Korea, she observed that the unity and love she saw among Korean people gave them the strength to move forward. That’s something Africans can learn from it: self-care and unity. She also expressed her gratitude to the organizers and Andong city officials for their warm welcome and super-organized hospitality.
For a Dubai-based Korean national, Misook Jung, the leaders’ forum and tour was an exciting adventure, as she had particularly come to attend the events for business opportunities and networking. For more than two decades, she has been a bridge between Korea and the Middle East through her work in media and community engagement. As the Director of Gulf Korean Times, she has spent the past 25 years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly in Dubai, where she has become a central figure in the Korean expat community.
Founded to serve both Korean and international audiences, the Gulf Korean Times publishes content offline and online every Friday, offering readers insight into life in the UAE and beyond. The publication is printed in Korean for its newspaper edition and in English for its online platform. “We have a website as well, and our focus is to reach the Korean community in the UAE, which is about 10,000 people,” she explained.
“Our media outlet covers a wide range of topics — from local UAE news, global affairs, and community lifestyle to Korean updates and entertainment. Its goal is to help Koreans living abroad stay informed and feel connected while also promoting cultural understanding between communities. We collaborate with KOTRA, the Korea Tourism Organization, and other institutions to host cultural programs and events.”
The next day, it was time to wander at an ancient Confucian school known as Dosan Seowon, the most significant historical place founded in 1574 by the great scholar Yi Hwang (Toegye), who was one of Korea’s most influential Confucian philosophers.
In addition, visitors set foot in one of the UNESCO World Heritage places, Hahoe Village, which is a historically well-preserved area, filled with Hanok houses and offering a glimpse of true traditions and history in ancient times. The village is a tourist landmark surrounded by the waters of the Nakdong River.
The two-day trip blended meaningful dialogue with historical tours, showcasing Andong’s journey from a framework of Confucian thought to a vibrant hub of global cooperation. Korean and foreign participants explored how Andong’s deep-rooted traditions continue to shape its modern transformation, where technology, industry, business, tourism, and K-food unite in harmony with its cultural legacy.
Photos by Bereket Alemayehu.
