Milan: The sports ministry and the national Olympic committee announced Tuesday they will jointly operate a hospitality house in northern Italy during the upcoming Winter Games. The Korea House will be set up by the ministry and the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) inside Villa Necchi Campiglio, a historic house museum in Milan owned by the nonprofit Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI), or the National Trust of Italy. Sports Minister Chae Hwi-young and KSOC President Ryu Seung-min will be on hand for the Korea House's official opening on Feb. 5, the day before the start of the 25th Winter Olympics. They will be joined by about 100 domestic and international sports officials, including members of the International Olympic Committee, heads of national Olympic bodies, and leaders of international sports federations. The Korea House will close on Feb. 22, the day of the closing ceremony for the Olympics.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea first ran the Korea House at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. Initially, it served as an office for KSOC staff and a venue for press conferences with South Korean medalists. Over the years, it has transformed into a venue promoting South Korean tourism and culture and a hub for sports diplomacy. The historic mansion will hold official receptions, while its outdoor tennis court will promote culture and tourism. A lounge area for South Korean Olympians will be set up in the basement.
The ministry and the KSOC anticipate a large number of IOC members and leaders of national Olympic committees to visit the Korea House due to the growing global interest in South Korean culture. They have designated Feb. 17, Lunar New Year's Day, as "Korea Day" and will invite visitors to experience Korean traditions, from "sebae," the formal Korean bow, to folk games.
The Team Korea promotion space will feature an exhibition of the official national team uniforms and will host a viewing party for major events. On Feb. 22, the Korea House will celebrate the country's Olympians with its official partners and sponsors in attendance. Cultural programs for visitors will include K-pop-inspired makeup and hairstyling and interactive K-pop classes.
MU:DS, the National Museum of Korea's official merchandise brand, will be showcased in the Korea House, with nearly 100 cultural heritage-inspired products on display. These products are reinterpreted under five themes -- meditation, celadon, white porcelain, mother-of-pearl inlay, and "KPop Demon Hunters." Popular items, such as celadon pouches and key rings, will be available for purchase.
The Korea House will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through advance online reservations at www.koreahouse2026.com or on-site registration.