Catalina Bolaños González, president of the Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Seoul and spouse of the Ecuadorian ambassador to Korea, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Ecuadorian ambassador’s residence in Seoul, April 27. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Behind Seoul's formal diplomatic circuit, a quieter kind of international engagement is taking shape. The Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Seoul (ASAS) has grown into a unique platform for cultural exchange, charitable work and cross-cultural friendship, bringing together the partners of ambassadors and heads of mission in Korea.
Founded in 2009 and formally established in 2014, the organization has developed into a space where respect, cooperation and human connection take precedence even amid complex global challenges. With around 50 members — roughly half the number of embassies in Korea — ASAS carries out a range of projects and initiatives aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue, friendship and philanthropic collaboration, while strengthening ties with the Korean people.
Catalina Bolaños González, spouse of Ecuador’s Ambassador to Korea Patricio Troya Suárez, has been serving as ASAS president since July 2025 for a one-year term, succeeding former president Natalia Federighi de Cuello of the Dominican Republic.
Catalina Bolaños González, president of the Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Seoul and spouse of the Ecuadorian ambassador to Korea, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Ecuadorian ambassador’s residence in Seoul, April 27. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
"My main inspiration has been to continue the legacy that ASAS has built over the years as a symbol of diplomacy, unity and mutual understanding among nations. Taking on this leadership role represents both a responsibility and a privilege, allowing us to strengthen this unique platform for cultural and human exchange," she told The Korea Times in a recent interview at the Ecuadorian ambassador’s residence in Seoul.
"As president, my role is to lead the association, promote its initiatives and strengthen the bonds both among our members and with Korean society."
A licensed lawyer in Ecuador, Bolaños González later earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile. Her professional experience spans legal practice, banking and financial institutions, as well as the implementation of cutting-edge technological platforms. She arrived in Korea in October 2024 with her husband.
Drawing from her professional background, she emphasized that ASAS is "an independent, nonpolitical association that seeks to build bridges between cultures, fostering respect, diversity and human connection beyond borders."
The current board, formed in March, includes Mongolmaa Dorjnamjaa, spouse of the ambassador of Mongolia, as vice president; Harsha Das, spouse of the ambassador of India, as project coordinator; and Sayma Hoque, spouse of the ambassador of Bangladesh, as treasurer.
Source: Korea Times News
