India and Korea Celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga at Gwanghwamun Square

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

Set against the magnificent backdrop of Gyeongbok Palace, the event drew over 700 yoga practitioners, including Korean participants and members of the Indian diaspora. Several dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps also attended, making the celebration truly international.

Ambassador Amit Kumar highlighted the growing popularity of yoga in the Republic of Korea and expressed his gratitude to KYA and other local partners for their dedication to promoting yoga. He emphasized the significance of this year’s IDoY theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," quoting Prime Minister Modi: “Yoga teaches us that we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature. The health of every entity on Earth is interconnected, and the practice of yoga transitions individuals from ‘Me to We.’”

Mr. Yoon Ho-jung, Chairperson of the Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, congratulated the organizers and stressed the value of a strong Korea–India relationship. Mr. Kang Seung-jin, President of KYA, spoke about IDoY’s symbolism in connecting nature’s vitality with the essence of yoga. Mr. Ryu Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, also underscored the global significance of IDoY, which unites millions around the world in a spirit of harmony and peace.

The three-hour event featured a variety of activities, including the Common Yoga Protocol, yoga demonstrations, and sound meditation sessions, conducted by over a dozen local yoga groups. Around 30 booths were set up by local yoga organizations. During the event, Mr. Park Ji-myung, a KYA member, presented his Korean translation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras to Ambassador Kumar.

The global importance of yoga continues to grow, particularly in its effectiveness at addressing lifestyle-related diseases and rising levels of stress. As these challenges become increasingly prevalent, yoga has emerged as a key element of preventive healthcare in many countries. Complementing this trend, traditional Indian systems of medicine such as Ayurveda are also gaining international recognition, offering a holistic approach to well-being that enhances and supports modern medical practices.

The theme of this year’s International Day of Yoga, “Yoga for Self and Society” (also expressed as “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”), underscores the expanding role of yoga in promoting integrated health, harmony with nature, and collective well-being.

The 2025 celebration of the International Day of Yoga in Korea reaffirmed yoga’s enduring global relevance and its ability to build bridges between cultures, fostering unity through shared values of health, peace, and humanity.