The Embassy of India, Seoul organized a special event on 16 December 2022 to mark the 49th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Republic of Korea, at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Seoul. The event also served as a curtain raiser for the upcoming year-long celebrations of 50 years of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2023.
The event included remarks by H.E. Mr. Amit Kumar, Ambassador of India to ROK and H.E. Mr. Youngsam Choi, Deputy Minister of Political Affairs, ROK MOFA. Ambassador Amit Kumar along with Deputy Minister Youngsam Choi jointly unveiled the logo for the 50th anniversary celebration of diplomatic ties that was selected through a contest jointly organized by both Embassies in Seoul and New Delhi.
Ambassador Kumar, in his remarks, mentioned the civilisational connect between India and ROK, India's contributions during the Korean War, shared values of democracy, the deepening of the Special Strategic Partnership, India’s Presidency of the G20, etc. He highlighted the potential for intensified bilateral engagement in areas such as security and defence, trade and investment, sustainable development, future mobility, new and emerging technologies, etc. Deputy Minister Youngsam Choi elaborated on the strong historical and cultural ties, and the need to build on the close bilateral cooperation of previous years to chart a new chapter of deeper strategic cooperation in areas like future manufacturing, renewables, healthcare, space, digital transformation etc.
The event also comprised a short cultural program consisting of Kathak Dance performance by Korean and Indian dancers- Ms. Oh Sukhee and Ms. Sonali Roy, and musical Jugalbandi (music duet) on traditional Indian instruments of Sitar and Tabla by Korean artists- Mr. Han Saembawy and Mr. Jung Myung-cheol. An exhibition of India-themed paintings by Ms. Sangshin Son based on her visits to India was also opened.
The event was attended by senior ROK Government officials including Ms. Yim Kyung-sook, Chairperson, Korea Food Promotion Institute and Director General Ms. Kang Yunjin, Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA), prominent business personalities, think tanks representatives, academics, media, cultural figures, members of the Indian community and other Friends of India. Around 150 people attended the event.
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17 December 2022
Seoul
