Says Ambassador Daúl Matute Mejía of Peru at National Day reception

“With Korea, our bilateral relation has been consolidated, and the political interchanges of the last months have strengthened our commons ties” said Ambassador Daúl Matute Mejia of Peru in Seoul at a reception marking the 198th anniversary of Independence of Peru at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on July 26, 2019.

Then he said said, “As our strategic ally, Korea helps us to concentrate cooperation in the main areas of our country that needs and special impulse to achieve development for the benefit of all our countrymen”

Ambassador Daúl Matute Mejia of the Republic of Peru presenting his welcoming remarks on the 198th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Peru at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on July 26, 2019.

The reception was attended by many distinguished guests from various segments of Korean society and international community.

The guests include Minister Yoon Soon-gu for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Korea, Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corp. and Defence & Military Attaches. There also were many Korean business leaders present at the party, who included Executive Vice President Kim Yong-Gu of Dohwa Engineering. From the media came publishers and editors who included Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media.

Minister Yoon Soon-gu for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Korea gives a congratulatory speech at the 198th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Peru.

Magnificent performances were presented during the reception, which included a mini-military performance and traditional dance of Peru.

Now, with Korea as the fourth biggest market to Peru regarding copper and other commodities, likewise, Peru as the main Korean development cooperation beneficiary in South America, the two countries seem to be establishing an economic coexistence.

Excerpts from the speech of Ambassador Daúl Matute Mejía:

In a second year on a row, I have the honour to address all of you in my condition of Ambassador of Peru to Korea to commemorate the 198th Anniversary of the Independence of Peru. This time, this occasion has a special meaning because we are just two years away of the commemoration of the Bicentenary of our Independence, the beginning of Peru as an independent Republic. It is time to celebrate and commemorate, but also, it is time to self-reflect about what Peru has achieved during the last years, specially, in our strategic bilateral relationship with the Republic of Korea.

Ambassador Ruben Eloy Arosemena Valades of Panama Korea gives a congratulatory speech at the 198th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Peru.

I would like to start, highlighting the fact that Peru is an active member of the International Society. We are a democratic country, with a deep concern and respect for human rights, open to the world and with a global vision as a country integrated to the world. We share these values with Korea, and with our allies and partners around the world.

With Korea, our bilateral relation has been consolidated, and the political interchanges of the last months have strengthen our commons ties, which are based in the “Joint Declaration On the Establishment of an Comprehensive Partnership” from year 2012 and a “Free Trade Agreement”, from year 2011. I want to mention that a couple of weeks ago, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Korea get together in the framework of the OCDE Meeting in Paris. Likewise, in early June, took place in Lima the “Sixth Meeting of the Mechanism of Political Consultations” where both countries have revised the wide range of issues in the bilateral relation. I am sure that in the near future to come, we will have another important sign of the strengthening of our bilateral relation.

Ambassador Daúl Matute Mejia of the Republic of Peru (tenth from left forefront) and Minister Yoon Soon-gu for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Korea (ninth from left forefront) posing with distinguished Ambassadors from various countries.

On the other side, Peru is a reliable partner to Korea. This fact has been acknowledged by Korean entrepreneurs, most of them are present here with us. Since so many years ago, they have been developing their business activities in our country, creating wellness for our country and spreading most of the “state of the art” Korean achievements in technology, for the benefit of Peruvian population. It is noteworthy to point out, that Peru is the main Korean development cooperation beneficiary in South America. As our strategic ally, Korea helps us to concentrate cooperation in the main areas of our country that needs and special impulse to achieve development for the benefit of all our countrymen.

Ambassador Daúl Matute Mejia of the Republic of Peru (right) and Minister Yoon Soon-gu for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Korea (left) are cutting the cake to commemorate the 198th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Peru.

It is important also to mention, that our commercial relationship has deepened in the last years. Korea is the fourth market to our global exports and one of our main buyers of copper, and commodities in the world. Likewise, the korean market has received with great expectation the peruvians “superfoods”, like maca, quinua, brasilian nuts, cacao nibs, sacha inchi, alongside with Peruvian coffee that it is already been consumed by Korean people. Very soon, our Peruvian “Palta” (avocado) could be found in local market and will become a “delicatessen” in Korean tables. Of course, Pisco, our national spirit, can be found in the Korean market for all Koreans to enjoy one of the finest spirits in the world. I would like to highlight that this Sunday; Peru will also commemorate the “National Day of Pisco”.

Ambassador Daúl Matute Mejia of the Republic of Peru and his spouse (third, fourth from left) posing with Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media (second from left) and Director Yoon Sang-hak of education at Holy Eden Church (left).

I do not want to end this speech, without mentioning the tight relationship that has developed between youth populations in Peru and Korea. Koreans travel to Peru to do cooperation activities, learning Spanish, visits touristic attractions, like Machu Pichu or Nazca Lines. Likewise, Peruvians come to Korea to study the language, develop university careers or to know the marvellous touristic attractions that Korea has to offer. K-Pop and K-drama are a cultural phenomenon in Peru and are well known among the younger population.

Also, i want to express my sincere gratitude for the generous collaboration of ours sponsors for the realization of this event: Dohwa Engineering, KAI: Korea Aerospace Industries, Sk Innovation, Hyundai, and Booyoung, that work side by side with Peru and with its Embassy to Korea.

Executive Vice President Kim Yong-Gu of Dohwa Engineering (right) and his staff officers are posing with the Peru traditional dancer at the reception.

The “198° Anniversary of Independence of Peru” project us with enthusiasm to our Bicentenary, consolidating our democracy, our economy, our political system for the good of all our population. With the cooperation of our strategic partner: Korea, I am sure that we will deep and strength our bilateral ties, and why not, transform the little geographical distance that separate us, in a bridge, that communicates two peoples and show us the best of each one of them. Viva Korea, Viva el Perú!

Executive Vice President Kim Yong-Gu of Dohwa Engineering (left) is posing with President Kim Hyeong-dae of The Korea Post media.
Military performance was conducted during the reception.
Traditional Peru dance was performed by a student in Korea.
Professional performers of Peru are conducting a beautiful dance for the participants of the event.
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