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| Argentine Ambassador to Korea Alfredo Carlos Bascou, right, poses with Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during a reception for the 203rd anniversary of Argentina's Independence Day at Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul, July 9. / Embassy of Argentina |
By Yi Whan-woo
Argentine Ambassador to Korea Alfredo Carlos Bascou, after taking office in April, hosted his first national day reception July 9 on the occasion of the 203rd anniversary of Argentina's Independence Day.
The reception took place amid enhanced bilateral relations last year, ranging from the first summit in 14 years between their heads of state on Dec. 1, to the signing of the working holiday and social security agreements and the reaffirmation of the Comprehensive and Cooperative Relationship for Joint Prosperity in the 21st Century.
Negotiations for a free trade agreement are also underway between Korea and Mercosur, a trading bloc among South American countries with Argentina serving as the rotating president.
"This will be the first Independence Day that I celebrate after coming to Korea. And I am very glad and honored to welcome all of you this evening," Ambassador Bascou said through a translator during a reception in Seoul.
He assessed the 2004 Comprehensive and Cooperative Relationship for Joint Prosperity in the 21st Century agreement as being the basis for strengthening bilateral relations in many fields.
He referred to his country as "a trustful partner," and that it results from Argentine President Mauricio Macri's "insightful move to form diverse relations with the rest of the world."
"In this context, Argentina remains unchanged in its support for President Moon Jae-in's efforts to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and diplomacy," Bascou said.
Among the invited guests were members of the diplomatic corps, including ambassadors and Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a separate speech, Yoon said the two countries saw "great progress" in 2018 and that he is happy to witness increased bilateral exchanges.
He pointed out more Koreans are traveling to the Iguazu Falls and the Moreno Glacier, which are among Argentina's top tourist icons, and are getting familiar with Malbec wine, Matte tea and tango.
He also underlined the popularity of K-pop and Korean soap operas in Argentina, saying they are "becoming the focus of great interest."
With such brisk cultural exchanges between the two countries, Korea reopened its Korean Cultural Center in November last year by restoring the historic Bencich Palace in central Buenos Aires. I look forward to having more Argentineans visit the Korean Cultural Center and experience Korean culture," Yoon said.
The reception featured various Argentinean wines and tango dance performances.
Argentinean Independence Day marks the country's declaration of independence from Spain on July 9, 1816, following the May Revolution of 1810 in Buenos Aires.
