Seungkwan, a member of the K-pop group Seventeen, has been appointed as an ambassador to promote his hometown, Jeju Island.

According to his agency, Pledis Entertainment, Seungkwan attended the appointment ceremony held at the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Communication and Cooperation Center in Ildoil-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do on November 19. This marks the beginning of his new role as Jeju's ambassador.

The occasion holds special significance as Seungkwan, a native of Jeju, was recognized for his contributions to promoting the island on a global scale.

At the ceremony, Seungkwan shared his thoughts: "I’ve always been proud to be a Jeju resident since I was young. Last year, when I had the opportunity to speak at the UNESCO Youth Forum, I felt a strong desire to introduce Jeju, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, to the world. Being appointed as a Jeju ambassador is deeply meaningful and humbling."

He added, "I’ve always worked with the hope of bringing positive energy and hope to the people of Jeju. Moving forward, I’ll continue striving to promote both Jeju and Seventeen globally. Please look forward to my efforts."

Oh Young Hoon, Governor of Jeju, expressed his delight at Seungkwan's new role, stating, "We are thrilled that a globally recognized artist from Jeju will be serving as an ambassador for his hometown. We hope Seungkwan will act as a cultural diplomat, sharing Jeju’s pristine nature, cultural arts, and identity as an island of world peace with the global community."

Following the ceremony, Seungkwan also participated in Jeju’s Hometown Love Donation program, supporting the protection of the endangered Jeju Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. "I’ve long thought about how I could give back to Jeju," he said. "I’m happy to have the opportunity to express my love for my hometown through this event."

Seungkwan’s appointment as Jeju’s ambassador is a heartfelt celebration of his roots and his ongoing commitment to his beloved island.