Egypt and South Korea have endeavored to maintain close cooperative ties in a variety of sectors, such as transportation, infrastructure, business, and culture, South Korean Ambassador to Egypt, Hong Jin Wook said.
“I hope you witnessed the Pyramid Air Show performed by Egypt’s Silver Stars team and Korea’s Black Eagles team in August together with the successful signing of the contract of the local manufacturing of K9 howitzer, the self-propelled artillery in February,” Hong Jin Wook said.
“Although South Korea and Egypt are far away, I can say that our hearts are even getting closer this year,” the Ambassador added.
However, the Ambassador said that Egypt-South Korea relations cannot continue to develop sustainably without the support from each country’s people.
“This is why I put more importance on public diplomacy than any other duties assigned to me to befriend the Egyptian people,” he explained.
His remarks came during the End-of-Year Reception that was held on Tuesday.
Addressing the journalists that are attending the reception the Ambassador said “ I appreciate your presence today and I can’t thank you enough for all the support you showed us throughout the year.”
“Egypt is such an attractive country having beautiful nature, splendid cultural heritage, and hospitable and competent people. It makes me love Egypt dearly and feel I am the happiest Ambassador in the world,” Ambassador Hong said.
“Our two countries are now at the stage of the best government-to-government cooperation of all time since the establishment of the Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership in 2016 when President Al-Sisi paid an official visit to Korea,” according to the Ambassador.
He mentioned that leaders of both countries keep close contact through visits, and phone calls for in-depth communication for mutual respect and benefit of both countries.
Notably, President Moon paid an official visit to Egypt in January, further promoting the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. And newly elected President Yoon Suk-yeal talked on the phone with President Al-Sisi in October. In November, Na Kyung-Won, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and Environment attended COP 27 which Egypt hosted successfully.
“Once again, my sincere appreciation goes to the Egyptian journalists who are contributing to Egypt-Korea relations by promoting Korea’s friendly images to Egyptian people and continuing to love Korean and Korean culture,” the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador confirmed that Korea will always stand by the journalists` side as their friend, stressing rest assured both countries will continue to develop hand in hand.
“I wish our relations will be more consolidated in the future. Even though the government may change, people always remain there. As I always say, governments change, but people remain,” he said.
“I hope that 2022 has been a successful year for you and your beloved ones. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and thank you for taking the time to partner with us, we are very thankful. Here is to a happy and healthy future for you and yours,” he concluded.
The celebration was to celebrate the end of the year, looking back at the activities of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea this year.
During the event a short video was presented on the Embassy’s public diplomacy activities which aim to get closer to the Egyptian people.
In addition, three Egyptian journalists, who had visited Korea in recent years through the program of the Korean Culture and Information Service, shared their experiences in Korea, including Daily News Egypt`s diplomatic reporter Nehal Samir.
