By Reporter Anna Kim

 

▲ Two national flags of Belarus and South Korea are displayed at the stage set up to commemorate the National Day of Belarus at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 28.

 

The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Korea organized a reception on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus and the Day of National Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War and the Genocide of the Belarusian People on June 28, 2023.

 

 

The event was attended by the heads and officers of more than thirty foreign diplomatic missions accredited in the Republic of Korea, high-ranking officials, representatives of Korean business and cultural circles, as well as members of the Belarusian diaspora.

 

▲  Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Korea H.E. Andrew Chernetsky (sixth from left, front row) poses with other foreign ambassadors at a reception held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 28 on the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus.

 

In his welcoming speech, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Korea H.E. Andrew Chernetsky drew the attention of the guests to the significance of two important dates in the history of the country – the Day of National Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War, celebrated on June 22, and the National Day, celebrated annually on July 3 on the Day of Liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders. 

 

▲  More than 100 guests, including foreign ambassadors, senior diplomats and Korean journalists, listen to the welcoming speech by Amb. Andrew Chernetsky of Belarus in Seoul at a reception to mark the Independence Day of Belarus held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 28.

 

The head of mission also noted the role of the Korean people in the development of the Belarusian state, focusing on the famous Koreans of Belarus.

Ambassador Andrew Chernetsky emphasized that despite the existing difficulties, the Belarusian-Korean cooperation continues. The head of the Belarusian mission welcomed the presentation of credentials to the President of the Republic of Belarus by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, expressed gratitude to the Korean side for its humanitarian projects in Belarus, and declared mutual support in solving pressing issues of climate change and the implementation of sustainable development goals.

 

▲  Mrs. Chernetsky, the spouse of Amb. Andrew Chernetsky of Belarus in Seoul (fourth from left), presents a “love” sign with spouses of foreign ambassadors and Korean guests at a reception to mark the Independence Day of Belarus held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 28.

 

In conclusion of his address, Ambassador Andrew Chernetsky focused the guests' attention on the complexity of the structure of the modern world and the unpredictability of its development, stating the need to build a dialogue among the younger generations of the states to jointly solve future problems and threats, avoiding parental mistakes.

 

▲ Amb. Andrew Chernetsky of Belarus in Seoul (fourth from left) and his wife and senior diplomats of the Embassy of Belarus in Seoul greet a guest at a reception to mark the Independence Day of Belarus held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 28.

 

Chairman of the Korean Importers Association (KOIMA) Kim Byung-kwan expressed his congratulations to the Belarusian side on the occasion of the National Day.

 

▲  Two beautiful Belarusian ladies sing a traditional Belarusian song at a reception to mark the Independence Day of Belarus held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 28.

 

In his speech, the head of the association highlighted the most promising areas of bilateral economic cooperation, stating the high competitiveness of Belarusian goods in the Korean market. The Head of KOIMA also emphasized mutually beneficial aspects of bilateral partnership.

 

▲  A Belarusian lady sings a traditional Belarusian song at a reception to mark the Independence Day of Belarus held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 28.

 

The reception of the Embassy was complemented by a cultural performance by representatives of the Belarusian diaspora. At the end of the solemn part of the event, the invited guests were able to get acquainted with the photo exhibition of the historical and cultural heritage of Belarus organized by the Embassy, as well as taste the Belarusian exported products during the presentation of the national cuisine.