By Reporter Anna Kim  

 

Peruvian Ambassador to Korea Paul Fernando Duclos Farodi hosted a reception to mark the 202nd anniversary of Peru's Independence Day and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with South Korea at the Four Seasons Hotel in Sejong-ro, Seoul on July 27.

 

 

"We decided to establish diplomatic relations by starting mutual partnerships in various fields such as political cooperation, economic relations, and cultural and educational exchanges through a joint statement on April 1, 1963,” Ambassador Duclos Farodi said.

 

Peru and South Korea have continued friendly relations and mutual cooperation based on their shared vision of promoting and protecting democracy, human rights, multilateralism and international law.

 

In addition, the free trade agreement signed with South Korea in 2011 expanded the entry of Peruvian agricultural and industrial products into the Korean market while enabling the continued growth of commercial exchanges between the two countries.

 

 

Both sides also signed a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012, establishing a special relationship that encompasses a variety of mutual concerns. They have established a mutual win-win mechanism between the two countries in the fields of political, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, and it has greatly contributed to giving new dynamics to mutual relations.

 

The two countries are preparing many events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. First of all, one of them is the Peruvian naval training ship “Union,” which will visit Busan from September 10 to 14. The visit by the Peruvian Navy training ship will be a good opportunity for the Korean people to get closer to Peru and its culture. During this period, Busan citizens and all Korean people will be invited at the Busan International Cruise Terminal next to the Maritime Museum.

 

Korea and Peru officially established diplomatic relations on April 1, 1963, and entered into force of the bilateral FTA in 2011, and established a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012.

 

The Peruvian Independence Day reception was attended by more than 300 distinguished guests from home and abroad, including foreign ambassadors to Korea, to celebrate Peru's Independence Day and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with South Korea.

 

 

The following is the full text of the speech by Peruvian Ambassador to Korea Paul Fernando Duclos Farodi.

- Your excellency Deputy Vice Minister of the Minister of National Defense Sung Il.

- Distinguished colleagues, ambassadors and diplomatic corp. members

- Esteemed nationals,

- Friends of Peru

 

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the 202nd Anniversary of the Peruvian

Independence, in the context of the Bicentenary of our Independence, that our country is commemorating until 2024.

These are very joyful days of commemoration, but, at the same time, of reflection upon the milestones achieved these last few years, about the challenges that we are still facing as a nation with diligence and dedication, with the will and spirit to improve the quality of life of our people.

 

This special occasion commemorates, at the same time, the 60 years of friendly relationships and mutual cooperation between the Republics of Peru and Korea, based on mutual values, complementary economic links and a positive agenda. This 60th anniversary or “Hwangap” is without a doubt an outstanding and festive occasion that allows us to look forward to a new era, even richer in deep cooperation and friendly alliances to come.

 

 

In said period to, our FTA of 2011 and the establishment of a Strategic Partnership since 2012, there has been new formal additions of political coordination, on one side, and economic, scientific and technological affairs, on the other, that have allowed the recent visit to Korea of high-ranking Peruvian officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Environment, and Development and Social Inclusion.

This increasing alliance has also found new fields of common partnership in sectors like ITC, defense and security, environmental protection, health services and, particularly in defense and security.

Because of that, we specially salute the message transmitted by Deputy Vice Minister Sung Il, on behalf of the Minister of National Defense, Lee Jong-sup, which testifies the excellence association and mutual cooperation developed in the last years through to annual meetings between our Armed Forces and industrial co-production that includes, among others, multi-purpose ships, navy patrols and training airplanes, in addition the continuous developments of formation and training programs in all military levels.

Likewise, in this year of commemoration we find ourselves developing a busy calendar of political, economic, gastronomic and cultural activities. I wish to specially highlight the arrival of the Peruvian Navy Flagship Union “BAP Unión”, in the city of Busan, from the 10th to the 14th of September, when it will open its doors to all Korean population and residents in the country, which will be able to enjoy our culture through the different activities planned.

 

 

Ladies and Gentleman, 

When assuming the Embassy of Peru in Korea a few months back, recently it was my greatest honor to present my credential to the President of the Republic, Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol, expressing the firm compromise to continue working toward a stronger bilateral relationship and our exchanges in all levels. Those who have surpassed the distance, the cultural differences and the language barriers, and have constituted a genuine alliance and friendship that is destined to grow and become stronger in the future.

Now, I kindly invite you to enjoy the cultural program and the sample of Peruvian cuisine prepared in this opportunity. I wish to thank specially those companies and institutions that have collaborated with this celebration: Dohwa Engineering, Hyundai Engineering and Construction, Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), SCl Health Care Group, SK Innovation, STX Corporation and the 172G. Gallery.

 

 

Now, I will leave you with a short video, that presents Peru, through the eyes of four young Korean “influencers” that recently visited the country. Two of them are now with us, sharing this celebration: Kim Ik-Kyun and Lee Seun-ah. This is, at the same time, a sincere invitation to visit Peru and a reminder of our capacity to understand and surprise each other.

Thank you very much,

Gamsahamnida