On May 26, 2025, the Czech Embassy in Seoul, in collaboration with Seocho District Office and with sponsorship from Hyundai Motor Company, held the opening ceremony of the Václav Havel's Place at Yangjaecheon Riverside Park.

The Havel Bench is composed of a round table intersected by a tree and two facing chairs. This unique design symbolizes the values Václav Havel, the first President of the Czech Republic, championed throughout his life—democracy, open dialogue, and freedom of expression. Rather than erecting statues, Havel's friends decided to commemorate him through benches where people could sit, converse, and reflect.

The bench installed in Seoul was crafted in Czechia and includes a Korean touch with a Cornus controversa (giant dogwood) tree donated by Danyang-gun County in Chungcheongbuk-do Province. Hyundai Motor Company supported the transport and installation of the bench.

The opening ceremony was attended by H.E. Ivan Jančárek, Czech Ambassador to Korea; Mr. Jun Sung-soo, Mayor of Seocho-gu District; Mr. Lee Ho-hyun, Director General for Energy Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; and Mr. Kim Ilbum, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company.

Ambassador Jančárek remarked, “Havel represents freedom, dialogue, and moral courage for the Czech people. I hope Seoul citizens will come together here and find inspiration in the values he stood for.”

Mayor Jun added, “I hope this bench, a symbol of Korea–Czech friendship, also becomes a space for the democratic communication and unity that our society needs. May it serve as a meaningful point for both cultural connection and reflection.”

Havel's Places have been installed in 21 countries around the world. The newly added bench in Seoul highlights the ongoing friendship between Korea and the Czech Republic and offers a public space where the ideals of democracy and dialogue can continue to flourish.