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Seocho District Mayor Jeon Sung-soo (front row, far right) poses for a commemorative photo with the Seocho Symphony Orchestra during the Echoes of Light: K-Classical Concert held in Berlin, Germany, on July 2. / Courtesy of Seocho District Office

In celebration of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation and the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, the Seocho Symphony Orchestra from Seoul's Seocho District embarked on a European concert tour, holding commemorative performances in Berlin and London that elevated the global standing of both South Korea and Seocho as a cultural and artistic hub.

According to Seocho District officials on July 7, the orchestra performed the Echoes of Light: K-Classical Concert at the Berlin Radio Hall on July 2, followed by the 80th Liberation Anniversary Global Peace Concert at the Rose Theatre in London on July 4.

The district explained that the tour was designed to combine cultural exchange with “remembrance diplomacy” through music, sharing the historical significance of Korea’s liberation with the international community.

In Berlin, the orchestra invited former German miners and nurses who had ties to Korea, while the London concert welcomed British Korean War veterans, leaders of the Korean community, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh and younger brother to King Charles III, as well as London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Seocho District Mayor Jeon Sung-soo personally visited the venues to support the orchestra and its cultural mission.

The Seocho Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to continue its tour in November with performances in Guatemala and Mexico.

Mayor Jeon stated, “We will continue remembrance diplomacy through music by utilizing the cultural assets of Seocho—Korea’s No. 1 classical district—as part of this journey of gratitude.”