Qatar Consul General Khamis Al Muhanady, Korea Consul General Yong-gi Shin, US Consul General Anne Casper, Palestine Consul General Emaad Shaath, Korean Consul General's wife Cha Young-ae cut the celebration cake. Samar Yahya Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Korea's Consul General Yong-gi Shin and his wife held a reception to celebrate the 4,346th Korean National Foundation Day, which falls on October 3, at the consul general's residence here Monday. Prominent dignitaries, including Dr. Mohammad Nabil Bukharee, director of protocol at the Department Ministry of Foreign Affairs Makkah region, were in attendance. "On behalf of the Republic of Korea and Korean community in the Kingdom, I would like to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and all Saudi agencies and citizens for the hospitality, cooperation and continuous support for strengthening the bonds between Kingdom and Korea," said Yong-gi Shin. He added: "I would like to renew the heart felt congratulations on 83rd National Day of the Kingdom. Eighty-three years has made great contribution to the peace and prosperity in the region and beyond." The consul general also highlighted the recent developments in Korea, such as the historic election of the first female president, Park Geun-hye. In her inaugural speech,Yong-gi Shin said, President Park had presented four guiding principles for the administrative vision of the new government: economic prosperity, people's happiness, cultural enrichment and establishment of foundation for peaceful unification. Korea and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong ties of friendship and cooperation along with exchange of dialogue, contracts and agreements, such as President Park's attendance as the Guest of Honor at 2012 Janadriya Festival and the Kingdom participation at 2012 Seoul International Book Festival among others. Commenting on the Saudi-Korean bilateral trade, the consul general said: "In 2012, the total Saudi-Korean bilateral trade reached $48.8 billion, marking Saudi Arabia the 4th largest trade partner of Korea. "The imported petrochemical products from Kingdom to Korea were valued at $39 billion and exported industrial and consumable goods valued at $9.1 billion." In the education capacity, over 500 Saudi students are studying at various Korean Universities under King Abdullah scholarship and the numbers are increasing. Korea is also rising as a prospective tourist destination for Saudis. Last year, Korea Air resumed its direct flights between Kingdom and Korea after a 15-year suspension since 1997. Yong-gi Shin congratulated everyone on the upcoming Eid Al Adha and wished pilgrims a safe and smooth Haj. The celebration began with the national anthems for both Korea and Saudi Arabia. Two Koreans played a short piece of traditional Korean music. A documentary was also screened on Korean development, which was appreciated by all present.
