Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Celebrates Kiaf and Frieze Opening: "Seoul is an Open-Air Art Museum"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the photo call for the opening of the "2026 Kiaf Frieze Seoul" at COEX in Gangnam-gu today (Sept. 2) to celebrate the launch of the event alongside key figures from the domestic and international art worlds.

In his congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony, Mayor Oh stated, "It has already been five years since these world-class art fairs began holding joint events in Seoul. Thanks to the passionate interest and support of Seoul citizens and the public, I find it deeply meaningful that Kiaf Frieze Seoul continues to be held successfully year after year."

He added, "I hope Kiaf and Frieze will continue to grow, going beyond a marketplace for buying and selling artwork to further elevate Seoul's status as a cultural and artistic city leading global art trends."

Frieze Seoul, considered Asia's largest art fair, features 133 galleries from 30 countries and regions this year, while Kiaf Seoul, hosted by the Galleries Association of Korea, includes 175 galleries from 18 countries, including 127 domestic ones.

Frieze Seoul attracted attention by showcasing works by renowned domestic and international artists such as Damien Hirst, Yoo Young-kuk, Park Seo-bo, Kim Tschang-yeul, Nam June Paik, Do Ho Suh, and Lee Kang-so.

At Kiaf Seoul, 127 major domestic galleries including Gallery Hyundai, Kukje Gallery, Gana Art, and Hakgojae, alongside 175 galleries from 18 countries including Japan's Whitestone Gallery and the U.S.'s Art of the World Gallery, set up booths.

Mayor Oh joined Lee Sung-hoon, President of the Galleries Association of Korea; Simon Fox, CEO of Frieze; Choi Whi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Chang Han-na, President of the Seoul Arts Center, for a VIP preview to tour the exhibits.

Prior to the event, Mayor Oh met with Frieze CEO Fox to discuss the continued development of Frieze Seoul and long-term cooperation plans with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

In particular, regarding the relocation of Frieze Seoul to the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in 2027 and 2028 due to the remodeling of COEX, they exchanged views on measures to ensure a successful event and cooperate on domestic and international promotion and marketing.

After finishing the tour, Mayor Oh said, "Starting today, cultural and arts events organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government—including Kiaf and Frieze—will begin across the city like an open-air art museum, spanning Ttukseom Hangang Park, Seoul Forest, and Open Songhyeon Green Plaza in Pungnap-toseong. Numerous artworks are waiting for our citizens, so I hope you will experience and enjoy them to the fullest."

(Photo courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.