By Faten Omar

KUWAIT: The South Korean Embassy in Kuwait hosted a reception on Wednesday to commemorate National Foundation Day. The event was attended by numerous Arab and foreign diplomats, as well as members of the Korean community.

In his opening remarks, South Korea’s Ambassador Chung Byung-ha emphasized the enduring and robust relationship between his country and Kuwait, highlighting decades of fruitful cooperation and mutual understanding. The ambassador also noted that next year would mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral energy cooperation, which began in 1964, when Kuwait became the first country from which Korea imported crude oil. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries dates back to 1979.

Chung shared an interesting chronology, mentioning that the economy preceded diplomacy, and the flow of oil preceded the arrival of construction workers. Nevertheless, over the years, both countries have developed comprehensive and multi-dimensional relations that have evolved into a strategic partnership.

He highlighted that Kuwait is the 6th largest exporter to Korea, with the trade volume reaching around $13 billion last year. Additionally, 100 million barrels of oil are imported from Kuwait to Korea each year, making Kuwait the 3rd largest oil supplier to Korea.

The ambassador expressed Korea’s aspiration to become a significant partner of Kuwait beyond 2035, emphasizing the need to deepen mutual understanding and share the values of freedom, peace, and prosperity based on unwavering trust and a strong partnership. He also mentioned Korea’s involvement in translating Kuwait’s 2035 vision into reality through the construction of symbolic and strategic infrastructure projects.

Ambassador Sameeh Johar Hayat, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asia Affairs, stressed the significance of the deeply rooted and strategic ties between Kuwait and South Korea. He noted that Kuwait was the third country to supply oil to Korea, dating back to 1964. Hayat also indicated that economic relations between the two countries began before political relations, and high-level meetings and visits are expected to strengthen their partnership.

Brig Gen Faisal Dashti, Director of Joint Education at the Ministry of Defense, highlighted the strong relationship between Kuwaiti forces and the Korean Army, including joint exercises. He underscored the importance of military cooperation in the field of education as a cornerstone of their collaboration.

Regarding potential cooperation in the field of armaments, Dashti explained that specialized committees assess the suitability of equipment for their respective forces, considering regional threats and the status of existing systems within the Kuwaiti army. In response to the current regional situation, he emphasized the readiness of the Kuwaiti army, driven by clear directives from high-ranking officials.

Concerning the northern borders, Dashti clarified that they manage these areas in accordance with established international agreements with neighboring countries, ensuring a consistent and cooperative approach.