Indian embassy holds commemorative event for International Yoga Day

A month before the 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day, the Indian Embassy in Seoul held a commemorative event and appointed actor Cha Ye-ryun as the event's public brand ambassador.

From left, Ambassador of India to Korea Amit Kumar, actor Cha Ye-ryun, Kim Sung-il, chairman of the Korean International Yoga Day organizing committee, and Cheon Jun-pil, chairman of the Korea Yoga Association pose for a photo during a press conference for the upcoming 10th International Yoga Day at Olympic Hall in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Wednesday. [EMBASSY OF INDIA]

A month before the 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day, the Indian Embassy in Seoul held a commemorative event and appointed actor Cha Ye-ryun as the event's public brand ambassador.

The UN established June 21 as International Yoga day in 2014. Yoga is a traditional Indian practice and has become a widely popular form of exercise.

The Korean International Yoga Day organizing committee has been organizing events commemorating the day at various locations including Seoul City Hall Square and the Olympic Peace Square. This year, an official event will be held at the main plaza of COEX in Songpa District on June 22, and related events will be held in Jeju, Busan and Nami Island.

Ambassador of India to Korea Amit Kumar speaks during a press conference for the upcoming 10th International Yoga Day at Olympic Hall in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Wednesday. [EMBASSY OF INDIA]

“Yoga is an ancient heritage from India, which is believed to have originated 3000 years ago,” said Ambassador of India to Korea Amit Kumar during the press conference for International Yoga Day at Olympic Hall in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Wednesday. “The fact that yoga has transcended geographical, cultural and temporal boundaries, touching the lives of millions around the world including Korea, attest to its timeless wisdom and relevance.”

Emphasizing that the relations between Korea and India “goes back at least two millennia,” Kumar stressed the importance of yoga in tackling the rise of lifestyle diseases and stress globally.

Kim Sung-il, chairman of the Korean International Yoga Day organizing committee, and Cheon Jun-pil, chairman of the Korea Yoga Association, were also present at the press conference Wednesday.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]