By Kim Ji-eun

Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held its 60th Anniversary Ceremony on Sept. 1, attended by President Yoon Suk-yeol,  Minister Park Jin of the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chancellor Park Cheol Hee of the KNDA, former ministers of foreign affairs, former presidents of the KNDA, and members of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee.

In his opening remarks, Park Chul-hee, president of the KNDA, emphasized that the academy, which was founded in 1963, has grown over the past 60 years into a center of excellence for diplomatic and security initiatives and the training of advanced elite diplomats, and will continue to strive to become a leading diplomatic and security think tank not only in Korea but also in the world. 

In addition, Park said that the academy will further strive to conduct diplomatic strategy research and foster human resources to realize global backbone diplomacy for freedom, peace, and prosperity.

In his welcoming remarks, Minister Park Jin emphasized that new horizons in Korean diplomacy are opening up with the full normalization of relations between South Korea and Japan, the opening of a new era of the U.S.-ROK alliance, and the historic Camp David summit between Korea and the two countries. He also called on the institute to nurture future talent and fulfill its roles and responsibilities as a leading foreign policy think tank representing the Republic of Korea at the highest global level.

Meanwhile, in a congratulatory video message, Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations (and former Minister of Foreign Affairs), said that the Republic of Korea should further strengthen its capabilities as a global pivotal country leading the international community, and emphasized the importance of nurturing excellent human resources at the KNDA. In addition, the heads of the KNDA's major foreign cooperation think tanks sent video messages congratulating the KNDA on its 60 years of development and looking forward to continued cooperation with the KNDA.