The relations between Greece and Korea are better than ever, declared the Korean ambassador Jung Il Lee, speaking at the 4th Hellenic-Korean Maritime Cooperation Forum, in the context of the “Posidonia” maritime exhibition.

In fact, he pledged that he will do everything possible to strengthen the friendship between Korea and Greece and for the two countries to work together “hand in hand for a future defined by mutual respect, trust and joint success”.

The Korean ambassador to Greece unraveled the web of bilateral relations and emphasized high-level visits, including a few months ago by Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in Athens. He also referred to the fourth Joint Economic Commission between the two countries held in December and the memorandum of cooperation signed in this context between KOTRA and “Enterprise Greece” to facilitate bilateral trade cooperation.

He did not fail to recall that Greece sent an expeditionary force during the Korean War in the early 1950s under the UN flag and emphasized: “We will never forget the sacrifices of those young Greek soldiers.”

He then highlighted the “mutually beneficial cooperation” that Greece and Korea have developed in the maritime sector over the past half century.

He also pointed out that the Korean delegation proposed a joint study to explore new business opportunities in LNG trade, as well as the intercontinental transport of ammonia and hydrogen.

He also made special reference to the cooperation between the two countries in the field of renewable energy sources. As Greece excels in the use of renewable energy sources, with more than 50% of its power coming from renewable energy sources, the cooperation between the two countries is very promising, he estimated.

He also expressed Korea’s will to further promote defense cooperation within the framework of Greece’s “Agenda 2030” for advanced military technology.

In fact, during his speech, the Korean ambassador pointed out “some remarkable achievements made by Greece last year”. In particular, he cited the publication of “The Economist”, that Greece was named “Country of the Year” for its economic performance.

Finally, in a personal tone, he confided that when he first came to Greece 3 years ago, he was pleasantly surprised by the Greek hospitality and underlined: “We are friends and we will always be friends”.