By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The Embassy of India and the Korean Yoga Association (KYA) jointly organized the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDoY) event at the iconic Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on June 21, 2025.

With the Gyeongbok Palace providing a magnificent backdrop, the Yoga event drew in over 700 yoga practitioners, both Korean friends and members of the Indian diaspora. Several dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps joined the event.

Ambassador Amit Kumar noted the growing popularity of Yoga in ROK, thanked KYA and other local partners for their efforts in promoting Yoga and emphasized the significance of the theme of this year’s IDoY: ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. Quoting PM Modi, he mentioned that Yoga teaches us that we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature; the health of every entity on Earth is interconnected and that the practice of yoga transitions individuals from “Me to We”.

Yoon Ho-jung, Chairperson of the Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, congratulated the organizers of the 11th IDoY and underlined the importance of a strong Korea–India friendship. Kang Seung-jin, President of KYA, highlighted IDoY’s symbolism in underscoring the harmony between nature’s vitality and the essence of yoga. Ryu Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee highlighted IDoY’s global significance that unite millions worldwide in the spirit of harmony and peace.

The three-hour event featured a series of activities, including the Common Yoga Protocol, Yoga demonstrations, and sound meditation sessions conducted by over a dozen local Yoga groups. Local Yoga organizations set up around 30 booths at the venue. Park Ji-myung, a KYA member, also presented his Korean translation of Patanjali’s “Yoga Sutras” to Ambassador Kumar.

As part of IDoY 2025 celebrations, the Embassy, with the support of local partners like the India Centre at Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS) also organized events in Jeju Island (7 June) and Busan (14 June). Another event will be held at Nami Island (28 June) in collaboration with Nami Island Arts and Education Inc. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is organizing the ‘Moonlight Yoga’ series, offering a variety of Yoga programs from June to August at Gwanghwamun Square.

The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) of the Embassy conducts regular Yoga classes for Korean friends, members of the Indian diaspora and international residents. It also conducts outreach with Korean Middle and High Schools through open house programmes, which include Yoga workshops.

The Embassy also works with Wonkwang Digital University (WDU) and BUFS for Yoga cooperation. WDU offers bachelors, masters and PHD courses while BUFS offers a Masters program in yoga and wellness which includes a comprehensive curriculum, encompassing the history and philosophy of yoga, the science behind it, wellness, marketing, etc.