TEHRAN- On the evening of Thursday, September 4, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Tehran successfully hosted a reception to commemorate South Korea's National Day and Armed Forces Day.

The event, held at the Ambassador's residence, was well-attended by members of the diplomatic corps and Iranian officials. The program effectively blended Korean and Iranian cultural elements, featuring formal remarks, musical performances, a dinner featuring both cuisines, and a Taekwondo demonstration. The event served as a positive platform for cultural diplomacy and strengthening bilateral ties.

The event demonstrated strong diplomatic engagement. Attendees included:

* Foreign Diplomats: A numerous contingent of ambassadors, charges d'affaires, and other diplomatic staff.

* Military Attachés: Representatives from various foreign defense attaché offices.

* Iranian Officials: The guest list included senior Iranian government representatives, notably Mr. Hamid Ghanbari, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy.

The ceremony was structured to provide an engaging and culturally rich experience for the guests.

Opening Address

The event commenced with a formal speech by His Excellency Ambassador Kim Junpyo. The address set the tone for the evening, reflecting on the significance of the dual celebration and undoubtedly addressing the state of bilateral relations between the Republic of Korea and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The following is the text of Mr. Ambassador’s speech.

His Excellency Dr. Hamid Ghanbari, Deputy Minister of Economic Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,

Salam. Khosh amadid! Khoshhalam ke mibinametoon.

Kheili mamnoon ke tashrif avordid.

Good evening, and a very warm welcome to all of you. It is a great honor to be with you tonight to celebrate the Korean National Day. I am pleased to have so many friends of Korea and Iran here.

On this occasion, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims of the war in June and their loved ones. I also deeply admire the courage and resilience youhave shown during those challenging days. Truly, It is delightful to see you here today in good health and high spirits.

Excellencies, Distinguished guests,

Have you heard the story of the Kushnameh? Kushnameh is a 7th-century Persian epic about a Persian prince who traveled to Korea and fell in love with a Korean princess.

Yes. More than a thousand years ago, Korea and Iran were already writing love stories together! This story is a reminder of the deep roots of our friendship.

Building on this historical connection, Korea and Iran have maintained a close relationship over the 63 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962.

Korea and Iran share a lot of similarities. We both cherish family values. We both respect our elders, We both take pride in our traditions of literature, music, and art.

These shared traditions bring our people closer. And this closeness is most vividly reflected in our cultural exchanges.

Ever since the drama Jumong captured the hearts of Iranians, K-dramas have been loved here.

At the same time, Koreans are inspired by the cultural richness of Iran. Maestro Kayhan Kalhor, renowned 'Kamanche' player, delivered a remarkable performance in Korea last year and won the hearts of many Koreans. And many Iranian films continue to be featured at the Busan International Film Festival.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Perhaps the strongest bridge between us is Taekwondo. It is Korea's traditional martial art. However, Taekwondo has found a second capital here in Iran. These days, nearly three million Iranians practice Taekwondo. And Iranians are not just practicing. They are excelling.

At the Paris Olympics last year, Iran's Taekwondo team made history, by winning 4 medals: one gold, two silver, and one bronze.

I also thank Mr. Hadi Saei and Iran Taekwondo Federation.

Thanks to their dedication, we revived the Korea-Iran Friendship Championship last year after a long pause since

2019, and another will be held next month.

Sports keep bringing us closer in other ways too. Last year, legendary Korean volleyball player Ms. Lee Do-hee became the coach of Iran's Women's National Volleyball Team. With her guidance, I am confident the team will shine at the next Olympics.

Excellencies, Distinguished guests,

Our friendship is reflected not only in sports and culture, but also in the people themselves. Many Korean expatriates and an-Iranian families have made Iran their home. They are living bridges of friendship, bringing our peoples closer and fostering mutual understanding.

Since my arrival in Tehran last year, I have also worked to advance our relationship by promoting high-level exchanges.

This commitment has led us to resume high-level visits, including the Deputy Foreign Minister's visit to Iran. Not just once, but twice last year alone. Our Foreign Ministers also met in New York last year. And in Seoul this year, DG level policy consultations were held for the first time in seven years.

The fields of vocational training and education provide another important platform that builds stronger connections between two countries. In cooperation with UNESCO and Iran's TVTO, we successfully launched the project for modernization of Instructor Training Center, to which Korea contributed 7.5 million dollars.

Moreover, through our scholarship programs, many young Iranians are now studying in Korea. They are not only gaining knowledge, but also forging friendship that will last a lifetime.

I believe they will become the future leaders of Korea-Iran friendship.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As shown in the highlight video earlier, the Embassy of Republic of Korea has been making continuous efforts to reach out more closely to the Iranian people. Through a wide range of cultural events and visits to different provinces, we have sought to build bridges of understanding and friendship.

This year alone, we organized events such as 'Quiz on Korea', 'Korean Speech Contest', and 'K-culture unboxing events'.

We also traveled from Shiraz to Sanandaj - and everywhere, we felt your warmth and hospitality. Mehrabani-ye shoma hichvaght faramoosh nemishe. Besiyar sepasgozaram.

Among these experiences, my most memorable one was singing the Iranian song Porsoon Porsoon with the Istgah Orchestra. I was deeply moved by the tremendous response and encouragement from so many Iranian people.

Mamnoonam ke az man be garmi esteghbal kardid.

And also, I would like to thank Mr. Mahdi Noruzi and the Istgah Orchestra once again for sharing their music with us tonight.

Yes. Of course, my team and I will continue to do our best to bring Koreans and Iranians even closer. I look forward to all of you playing an important role in this endeavor.

Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen

Before closing, I want to thank my wonderful Embassy members. They worked day and night to prepare this evening.

Even during the war time, they stood here together as one team, overcoming challenges side by side.

And finally, as you know, no celebration of Korean culture would be complete without K-food. Tonight, we have prepared a wide variety of authentic dishes. I warmly invite you to enjoy them and experience the true flavors and spirit of Korea.

Once again, khosh amadid va az hamegi besiyar tashakor mikonam.

Cultural Performances

Following the speech, the program featured a blend of Korean and Iranian cultural elements:

* Musical Performance: An Iranian band performed a selection of both Korean and Iranian songs, creating a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.

Dining

Guests were treated to a dinner that featured a diverse variety of delicious Korean foods alongside a selection of Iranian dishes. This culinary diplomacy was a highlight, allowing attendees to experience Korean culture firsthand.

Taekwondo Demonstration

The event concluded with a highly exciting Taekwondo demonstration performed by the Iranian Takavaran Demonstration Team. The performance, marking the World Taekwondo Day, was noted as a major success, greatly exciting the attendees and showcasing a key aspect of Korean martial culture as adopted and excelled in by Iranians.

The reception was a significant and well-executed diplomatic event. The careful curation of the program, which seamlessly integrated Korean and Iranian cultural performances and cuisines, successfully promoted cross-cultural understanding. The high-level attendance from both the diplomatic corps and the Iranian government indicates the importance of the Republic of Korea's diplomatic mission in Tehran.

The event ultimately served its purpose as an effective exercise in soft power and public diplomacy, strengthening the Republic of Korea's presence and fostering positive relations within the host country.