Anniversaries, events and expo to make for a busy diplomatic 2012

With its success in drawing high-level international conferences, Korea has enjoyed an especially full diplomatic calendar in recent years.

And 2012 looks set to be no exception with foreign heads of state attending the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul in March, and international experts coming to the World Water Conference in Busan this September. The Yeosu Expo is also set to draw high-level political delegations from the 31 participating countries when it runs from May to August.

What’s more, many of Seoul’s 101 embassies are celebrating significant diplomatic anniversaries between their countries and South Korea this year.

Many Latin American countries including Paraguay, Guatemala, Mexico, Argentina and Chile will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties with South Korea.

Israel, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia will also mark a half-century of relations this year.

Many countries are planning cultural and diplomatic programs both at home and in Korea.

The Korean government kick-started bicentennial celebrations in Paraguay by presenting a friendship bell to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties and the 200th anniversary of the South American country’s independence. The bell in the Korean garden of Nu Guazu Park, in the city of Santani, is a smaller replica of the Bell of King Seongdeok.

A commemorative stamp bearing the official 50th anniversary emblem will be issued and a traditional Korean music concert will be held on June 15 in the Latin American country.

A Korea-Paraguay Taekwondo championship will also be held in Paraguay, with the country’s embassy here planning a range of cultural events.

Meanwhile, Austria will technically celebrate 120 years of diplomatic ties with South Korea as the two country’s relations date back to the Austria-Hungarian Empire, and the 50th anniversary of diplomacy between the two modern countries will be celebrated in 2013.

China, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus and South Africa, will mark their 20th anniversaries of ties with Korea in 2012.

At least one royal visit will also grace next year’s diplomatic calendar, with the crown prince couple of Denmark set to visit Korea in May.

By Kirsty Taylor(kirstyt@heraldcorp.com)