Diplomacy Journal David Kendall | On February 10, H.E. Saeed Koozechi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, hosted a reception to mark the 47th Anniversary of Iran’s Islamic Revolution (celebrated on February 11). The event was held in the Shilla Hotel’s Hanok-inspired YeongBinGwan Hall.
Before the official ceremony, a video introduced Iran’s long legacy. It began with a reference to the legend of the archer Arash, who gave his all to secure a vast land for his people, and included scenes from Iran’s diverse and beautiful landscapes, including the green hills of Torkaman Sahra and the stunning terraced mineral springs of Badab-e Surt. Interspersed with these were images of the ancient ceremonial capital Persepolis and traditional artisans at work.
In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Koozechi first spoke in Korean, thanking the ambassadors and other guests gathered, starting with Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Climate Change for Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kyun Jung Ho, who was there to give the host nation’s official congratulatory remarks.
Speaking in Farsi, with Korean and English transcriptions displayed on screens. the Ambassador stated, “The Islamic Revolution of Iran embodied the collective will of a nation that in 1979, drawing strength from its faith, historical identity, and profound aspiration for independence, prevailed over a dependent dictatorship that had placed foreign interests above the will of its own people.” The Revolution, he added, “laid the foundations of national sovereignty, genuine popular governance, and the restoration of the dignity and independence of the Iranian nation.”
The Ambassador then credited “the nation’s indigenous capabilities, strong social cohesion, and its highly skilled and dedicated human resources” for creating the remarkable progress Iran has made in the past five decades in numerous fields, despite “the complexities of an ever-changing regional and international landscape.” The Iranian people were also the stars of the post-speech videos which showed them enjoying time with their children, performing in fusion rock bands, competing in the Olympics, or working in multiple industries.
Ambassador Koozechi highlighted Iran’s successes on the diplomatic front, pointing out Iran’s strong bilateral ties with Korea that he said were “grounded in a long history and longstanding friendship.” He praised both sides’ commitment to preserving and expanding ties, even though those efforts were hindered by what he called “unjust and unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States.”
With regard to Israel and the United States bombing sites in Iran where nuclear weapons were believed to be under development, the Ambassador said, Iran has “engaged in negotiations regarding the issue in good faith ... However, after five rounds of talks had been completed, and preparations were underway for a sixth, we witnessed in June a military attack … that resulted in significant loss of life and considerable economic damage.”
After adding that Israel and the United States had exploited protests sparked by economic concerns in December of 2025, Ambassador Koozechi credited “the vigilance and a strong sense of responsibility” of the Iranian people for successfully thwarting those efforts to destabilize the country and called for a moment of silence for the innocent civilians killed in the June bombings.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Koozechi expressed his sincere hope that the people and governments of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea enjoy “peace, stability, and sustained development and prosperity.”
In his congratulatory remarks, Deputy Minister Kyun mentioned the two countries’ long history of interaction dating back to Korea’s Silla Dynasty and the Silk Road; the shared cultural values, such as a deep sense of community and respect for elders; and the strong modern economic ties forged in the 1970s by over 20,000 Koreans who worked on construction during the Oil Boom. He mentioned Seoul’s Teheran-ro and Tehran’s Seoul Street as symbols of that enduring friendship. He said both countries “have remained steadfast in their effort to develop bilateral relations,” citing the phone calls and meetings which took place between their foreign ministers within three months of Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung taking office last year, as well as high-level policy consultations in Seoul and Tehran.
The event concluded with a banquet serving a mix of Iranian and Korean delicacies and perennial favorites.
