Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee | The Embassy of the State of Qatar in the Republic of Korea hosted a National Day reception on December 15 at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul, bringing together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and cultural figures to celebrate Qatar’s National Day and the steadily deepening ties between Qatar and Korea.
The event commemorated the accession of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammad Al Thani, the founder of the State of Qatar, and was hosted by H.E. Khalid Ebrahim Al-Hamar, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of Korea.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Reaffirmed
In his National Day address, Ambassador Al-Hamar emphasized that relations between Qatar and the Republic of Korea have evolved into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting strong mutual trust and shared long-term interests.
“Qatar is a key energy supplier to Korea, contributing significantly to its economy and energy security,” Ambassador Al-Hamar said. “At the same time, Korea has played an important role in Qatar’s development through major projects in urban development, plant construction, and shipbuilding.”
He highlighted cooperation on liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers with Korean shipbuilders as one of the largest strategic projects aimed at expanding Qatar’s maritime fleet and meeting growing global energy demand.
Expanding Cooperation into Advanced and Green Sectors
Ambassador Al-Hamar noted that bilateral cooperation has expanded well beyond traditional sectors. Agreements between the Qatar Free Zones Authority and Korean companies now encompass five major green and digital projects, including solar energy initiatives, a solar technology center, a low-carbon “B-Product” manufacturing facility, and advanced digital infrastructure.
He added that cooperation now extends across a wide range of fields, including healthcare, education, youth exchanges, ports, agriculture, smart networks, investment, culture, and sports, underscoring the multidimensional nature of the partnership.
Cultural Exchange as a Bridge Between Peoples
Culture was a central theme of the celebration. Ambassador Al-Hamar cited the recent exhibition at the National Museum of Korea, which featured selected collections from Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art, as a powerful example of how cultural exchange fosters dialogue and mutual understanding between the two peoples.
The reception also featured a musical performance of “Allah Ya Omri Qatar,” one of Qatar’s most beloved national songs, sung across generations as an expression of love and pride for the nation, offering guests a deeper appreciation of Qatar’s cultural heritage.
Congratulatory Message from the Korean Government
A congratulatory message was delivered by Kwon Oh-eul, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea.
Minister Kwon noted that since its unification in 1878 under its first Emir, Qatar has achieved remarkable development, becoming a major hub for commerce and logistics in the Gulf region and one of the world’s wealthiest nations.
He also recalled that Korea and Qatar have maintained strong and friendly relations for more than 50 years, since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1974, and that the relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the 2023 summit, expanding cooperation into new areas such as defense, artificial intelligence, and healthcare.
From Diplomatic Ties to a Shared Future
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974, Korea–Qatar relations have steadily deepened—initially centered on energy and construction cooperation before expanding into shipbuilding, infrastructure, and investment.
In recent years, the partnership has grown into a multidimensional relationship encompassing advanced technologies, green growth, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties, reflecting the evolving priorities of both nations.
Looking ahead, both governments expressed confidence that deeper collaboration would pave the way for a more peaceful and prosperous future.
“This year’s National Day slogan, ‘With you it rises, from you it awaits,’ reflects our belief in shared progress through knowledge, innovation, and cooperation,” Ambassador Al-Hamar said, reaffirming Qatar’s commitment to strengthening its long-term partnership with Korea.
