Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | The legacy of the Seoul Olympic Games is expanding beyond a mere record of the past into a living platform that connects present diplomacy with future cultural exchange.

The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation for the Seoul Olympics (Chairman Ha Hyung-joo) invited Ambassador Emilia Gatto of Italy in Seoul to host the ‘Seoul Olympic Sculpture Park Tour Program,’ showcasing a new model of cultural diplomacy that combines sports and art.

Held on April 28 in the area around Seoul Olympic Park, this program was attended by officials from the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation and an Italian delegation of about 10 dignitaries, including Ambassador Emilia Gato, which added significance to the cultural exchange between the two countries.

The delegation formed an artistic common ground while appreciating works by Italian artists at the Seoul Olympic Sculpture Park accompanied by expert commentary. Following this, they visited Gallery 1 of the Soma Museum of Art to view the solo exhibition entitled, "Lee Seung-taek: Outside of Sculpture," experiencing the expansiveness and experimental nature of the Korean contemporary art.

Subsequently, a meaningful exchange event held in the courtyard of the Olympic Hall provided a time for the friendship between the two countries to further deepen the relationship through the mediums of sports and art.

Chairman Ha Hyung-joo stated, "It was a meaningful time to confirm firsthand the value of the legacy connecting the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics," and added, "I look forward to further deepening cooperation between the two countries in the future." Ambassador Emilia Gato also emphasized, “It is very meaningful to experience firsthand the cultural legacy left by the Seoul Olympics,” and added, “The Olympic legacy is an asset shared by humanity across borders and will serve as a foundation for continuous cultural exchange between Korea and Italy.”

This program is significant not only as a simple cultural experience but also as a form of “diplomacy through art.”

In particular, this exchange, held in the open space of the Sculpture Park, once again proved that art is the most intuitive language for expanding understanding and empathy between nations.

Based on the Seoul Olympic legacy recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation plans to build a new global brand called “K-Olympic Legacy” and continuously expand various international exchange projects.

The Olympics are over, but the spirit has not. Art leaves memories, and those memories connect the world again.