VIDEO: UAE-Korea celebrate diplomatic relations with music performance, friendship message

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations on June 18, 1980 and to celebrate this accasion, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company general headquarters on Corniche Road in the capital was emblazoned with national flags of both the countries for over an hour from 8:30pm.

The 76-storey building was also lit one after the other with the words "Friendship, Trust Go Together” in the Arabic, Hangul and English alphabets.

In a special message uploaded over the portal of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea-Abu Dhabi, Ambassador Kwon Yongwoo said both governments had designated the year 2020 as the "Year of Cultural Dialogue” though this shall be extended to 2021 due to the COVID19 pandemic, which he said would be equally fought to stop its spread for a "win-win situation.”

"Wishing for a deepened friendship between Korea and the UAE through continuous exchanges between both countries in various fields. Happy 40th Anniversary!,” was the message of Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Chun Wook.

An addition to the simple celebration was the virtual performance of the UAE’s "Ishi Bilady” ("Long Live My Country”) and Korea’s "Aegukga” ("The Patriotic Song”) by Emirati and Korean youth, as arranged by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Centre in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Education, Masterpieces and the Emirates Youth Symphony.

The UAE Embassy in Seoul said, “On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Emirates & Republic of Korea on June 18, 2020, the Ministry of Education of the UAE presented a symphony orchestra with the national anthem of the UAE & ROK, expressing the depth of friendship relations.

There are approximately 6,000 Koreans across the seven emirates into the medical, engineering,and construction sectors.