For the first time in its history, South Korea has opened the doors to a new and striking Holocaust museum, located in the heart of the city of Paju. The inauguration marks a historic moment and symbolizes the country’s commitment to remembrance, education and the fight against hatred.
At the ceremony—attended by public officials, diplomats and guests from across South Korea and around the world—Israeli Ambassador Rafi Harpaz said, “The Holocaust was one of the darkest chapters in human history. Six million Jews were murdered solely for being Jewish."
"Holocaust remembrance is not a choice—it is a moral duty to the victims," he continued, "to history and to future generations. This museum is not only a place of memory—it is also a place of education, of truth and of moral responsibility.”
Ambassador Harpaz also warned of the dangers posed by rising Holocaust denial and historical distortion. “Distorting the memory of the Holocaust is not an academic debate. It is an assault on justice, on memory and on the dignity of the victims. We have a responsibility to confront these phenomena and to educate the next generation—so they understand the destructive consequences of hatred, indifference and silence.”
The museum, established through the initiative of the Korea-Israel Bible Institute (KIBI), features a unique exhibition on the Holocaust, the Jewish people and the State of Israel. It was built after years of research and dedicated work.
Prof. Song Man-suk, a leading figure in the KIBI community and one of the museum’s founders, said: “After October 7, we witnessed a wave of hatred toward Israel and Jews—even here in Korea. For us, this was a wake-up call: we need to educate the public about the Jewish people, about the Holocaust and about the true meaning of the term ‘genocide.’ At the same time, we wanted to send a clear message of solidarity and support for the Jewish people."
His remarks also referenced troubling recent incidents, such as the harassment of Israel’s ambassador in South Korea, who was surrounded by protesters while dining with his family at a Seoul restaurant. “The growing extremism cannot go unanswered,” Song noted. “This museum is our response—it is a shield of knowledge, of values and of empathy.”
The ceremony concluded with heartfelt words of thanks to the many partners who helped make the dream a reality, especially Prof. Song and KIBI for their longstanding support of Israel. “This museum will stand as a testament to our commitment to truth, to remembrance and to ensuring that the words ‘Never Again’ remain a promise, not just a slogan,” Ambassador Harpaz said in closing.
