Republic of Korea Stands with Pakistan in Floods Calamity – Ambassador Suh Sangpyo

Tazeen Akhtar

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) H.E Suh Sangpyo has said, ” Relations with Pakistan are enhancing in all sectors. Our companies are coming to Pakistan. We have revised our travel advisory for Pakistan. Soon we will start group tours. RoK is standing with Pakistan in the relief and restoration of flood-affected people. A big team from my country arrived. I traveled to Karachi to hand over humanitarian aid to Pakistani officials.”

Ambassador shared this in his welcome address to the participants of a magnificent reception hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Suh Sangpyo at the Embassy on 30 Sep 2022 to celebrate National Foundation Day & the Armed Forces Day Republic of KOREA.

Federal Minister for Board of Investment Ch Salik Hussain was the chief guest at the occasion. Here it is worth mentioning that RoK and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in Nov 1983 while Ch Shujaat Hussain was appointed the first honorary consul of RoK in Pakistan in 1980. Ch Shujaat is father of Ch Salik Hussain.

Ambassador in his address added, ” Both countries are strengthening their ties in different sectors successfully including trade, investments, education, culture, sports, etc. The number of Pakistani students is increasing in RoK. 200 Pakistani students have availed full scholarships for graduation under Global Korea Scholarship for their excellent educational careers. Korean PoP is popular among Pakistani youth. We are going to hold more cultural events next year in collaboration with Pakistani partners.”

” RoK is promoting People to People links through tourism as well. My country has revised travel advisory to Pakistan. Group tours for Khunjrab and Skardu will be started soon. Members of Parliament also visited recently. I met with Korean people in Karachi. Korea is with Pakistan always through thick and thin.”

Chief Guest Minister Salik Hussain recalled the history of the establishment of diplomatic bonds and also refreshed that in the decades of the 60s and 70s, the Pakistani and Korean workforce played a key role in the construction of today’s Middle East.

“Our relations date back deep into history to 348 AD to Buddhist Era and Gandhara civilization”, Minister noted.

Ch Salik Hussain shared remarkable development in bilateral relations. He said, ” Samsung in partnership with Luckey Motors will soon start production of smartphones. A plant in this regard has arrived at Port Qasim.”

He also referred to the joint venture with the Korean South East Power Company at Gullpore generating 102 MW of electricity there.

A large number of dignitaries from the government, foreign office, and armed forces of Pakistan attended the reception to express their solidarity with RoK. Envoys and defense attaches of resident missions were also present in big numbers. Business community leaders, civil society personalities, and senior media persons were also invited.

The demonstration of Korean martial arts was an attraction for the guest in which an energetic team of Pakistani youth displayed their skills by breaking the woods in front of the center stage.

The spacious lawn of the embassy was decorated with lights and Korean culture and traditions. Korean dishes were served to the guest that were found highly delicious and mouth-watering.