South Korea, India to celebrate year 2023 as 50th anniversary of Korea-India Diplomatic Relations, preparations in full swing

NEW DELHI: The year 2023 is going to be a happening year when bilateral relations between India and the Republic of Korea (RoK), also known as South Korea are going to witness an unprecedented upward push. India and South Korea both would commemorate next year as the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two Asian tigers.

Though the bilateral consular relations between India and South Korea were established in 1962 but were upgraded to Ambassador-level on 10th December in 1973, thus completing 50 years in 2023.

And to make the year 2023 the Golden Jubilee year of India-South Korea diplomatic relations as memorable in the history of both nations, the Korean Embassy in New Delhi is preparing hard, and preparations for the same have already begun.

“In order to celebrate the next year 2023 as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea  and India, there are plans to organized a series of events throughout the year not only in the field of art, culture, language, people-to-people exchange, but also academics, tourism and many more. We also expect many high level visits from South Korea during next year,” said Chang Jae-bok, Ambassador, South Korea.

Interestingly, India assuming G-20 Presidency next year when India is expected to host over 200 G20 meetings across the country, and high-level visits from South Korea are also expected. The G20, or Group of Twenty, is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies including South Korea.

In India South Korean Embassy and its allied agencies such as Korean Cultural Centre has started working towards the next year celebrations.

Korea-India DOSTI Supporters appointed

Recently, the Korean embassy appointed a team of Indian graduates as 𝐃𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 to strengthen the ties of friendships between the two countries. They are expected to do various activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2023 with the hope that DOSTI Supporters would become a bridge for both countries. On October 17th, Ambassador Chang Jae-bok hosted the Korea-India DOSTI Supporters and interacted with them.

1973-2023 50th Anniversary of Establishment of Korea-India Diplomatic Relations Logo & Slogan Contest

Embassy of the Republic of Korea to India and Embassy of India to Republic of Korea jointly announced a Logo·Slogan Contest effective October 17 –November 18, 2022. As an eligibility criteria,

Any citizen or resident of Korea or India can participate in this contest, and register and upload their entries through Google form https://forms.gle/qUVifB7KmViXLzqd6 .

The winning logo design and slogan will be used for events and promotion materials related to the 50th Anniversary in both countries throughout 2023.

Ambassador meetings with other stakeholders:

Ambassador Chang also had a separate meeting with three Honorary Consul Generals of Korea, Suresh Chukkapalli in Hyderabad, Jagdip Singh in Chandigarh and Prashant Joshi in Goa at the Embassy premises in New Delhi on October 14, on the side lines of the National Day Reception.

The same evening, Ambassador also hosted a meeting with Consul Generals in India, Kim Young-og, Consul General in Mumbai, and Kwon Young-seup, Consul General in Chennai.

They reviewed the ongoing preparation for the 50th anniversary celebrations of Korea-India diplomatic relations and discussed ways to make those events successful. The Embassy together with Honorary Consul Generals, and Consul Generals is looking forward to holding commemorative events to mark this historic milestone and to contribute to the strengthening bilateral relations between two countries.

Related article: India shall continue to support South Korea in difficult times: Meenakshi Lekhi