Kenya Embassy in Seoul Announces 3-Day Closure [Details]

The Embassy of Kenya in Seoul has announced a three-day closure of its offices due to the Chuseok holiday.

In a notice on Wednesday, September 23, the embassy said its normal operations would be temporarily suspended from September 24.

"We kindly inform that the Embassy of Kenya in Seoul will be closed as follows; 24th - 26th September 2026," the notice read in part.

The embassy said normal operations will resume on Monday, September 28.

Chuseok is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Korean lunar calendar.

The holiday has traditionally been associated with the autumn harvest. Families use the occasion to come together, celebrate the harvest and honour their ancestors.

During Chuseok, many South Koreans travel to their hometowns to spend time with relatives. 

Families may also conduct ancestral memorial ceremonies, visit family graves and participate in traditional cultural activities.

Food is an important part of the celebrations. One of the best-known Chuseok foods is songpyeon, a type of Korean rice cake that is commonly filled with ingredients such as sesame seeds, beans or other fillings.

People may also wear hanbok, Korea’s traditional clothing, exchange gifts and take part in traditional games and performances.

This comes weeks after the Kenyan Embassy in Moscow issued a consular notice to Kenyans living in or travelling through the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

In a statement on Saturday, September 5, the mission said the emergency contacts are intended to strengthen its ability to support Kenyan citizens in the three countries.

The embassy provided two emergency telephone numbers that Kenyans in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan can use when seeking assistance: +7 (968) 014 84 32 and +7 (968) 014 84 33.

The mission urged Kenyans residing in the three countries, as well as those travelling or transiting through them, to register with the Embassy to facilitate communication and access to assistance when necessary.

"The Embassy also wishes to take this opportunity to continue encouraging the Kenyan diaspora in the Russia Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan or those travelling transiting through these accredited countries to register notify the Embassy through the Embassy website, email, social media or via telephone provided," the statement added.

The Embassy further assured Kenyans that its consular services remain available to those facing distress or requiring clarification and other forms of assistance.

"The Embassy is open and available to the Kenyan diaspora to access consular services when they are in distress or require any other services, clarifications or necessary assistance," the statement further read 

The mission reiterated its commitment to supporting Kenyan citizens within its accredited countries and conveyed its assurances to the Kenyan diaspora.

"The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya to the Russian Federation avails itself of this opportunity to the Kenyan diaspora in the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus and Kazakhstan the assurances of its highest regard and consideration," the statement concluded.