The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Korea hosted a Diplomatic Reception on June 28th at the Ambassador Pullman Hotel to celebrate National Day (annually on July 3) and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Belarusian diaspora in Korea, attracted attendees including the heads of over 35 foreign diplomatic missions, Korean officials, business and cultural representatives, and prominent South Korean media.
In his welcome address, H.E. Andrew Chernetsky, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Korea, highlighted the significance of this memorable day in Belarusian history. He stated, "July 3rd was chosen as the National Day of Belarus for a specific and significant reason. On that day, 80 years ago, Minsk, the capital of Belarus, was liberated from Nazi invaders. In that terrible war, every third inhabitant of Belarus perished. The memory of this tragedy lives on in the hearts of Belarusians." He also underscored that both the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Korea understand the true cost of freedom and the devastating consequences of war, expressing a shared desire to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Reflecting on bilateral relations, Ambassador Chernetsky assured attendees that Belarus and Korea have never faced unsolvable contradictions. Despite differing positions on certain international political issues, there has been normalized interaction between the business communities and positive developments in educational and cultural spheres. He announced an upcoming Korea-Belarus Cultural Exchange Exhibition in early July, emphasizing the embassy's commitment to fostering beneficial bilateral contacts. He noted that both countries face many similar challenges where mutual assistance could be valuable.
In the conclusion of his address, H.E. Andrew Chernetsky brought attention to global challenges affecting the international community, such as climate change, supply chain and energy issues, sustainable regional development, and food security. He expressed hope that cooperation between Belarus and Korea could contribute to addressing these global concerns.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the photo exhibition "Belarus Undefeated," showcasing Belarus's resurgence over the past 80 years from the devastation of war, celebrating human resilience, fortitude, and faith in victory.
The reception also featured cultural performances by the Belarusian diaspora in Korea, including solo songs in the Belarusian language and traditional as well as modern dances, enriching the event with cultural vibrancy.
