Azerbaijan’s Victory Day marked in Seoul with commemorative ceremony

A ceremony marking Azerbaijan’s Victory Day was held in Seoul on November 6, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Korea. The event honored the 2020 victory in the country’s Patriotic War and paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the conflict.

Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Korea, Ramin Hasanov, delivered remarks highlighting the significance of the day. He said that Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 Patriotic War ended the occupation of Azerbaijani territories that had lasted for more than three decades, restoring the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ambassador Hasanov expressed deep respect for the soldiers who lost their lives during the war and offered condolences to their families, also wishing recovery to veterans. He emphasized that the end of the conflict opened new prospects for peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

Quoting Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s address at the UN General Assembly — “We won, both in war and in peace” — the ambassador noted that the post-conflict period has ushered in a new phase for Azerbaijan and the broader region. He also mentioned Azerbaijan’s efforts to promote peace with Armenia, including proposals for a comprehensive peace agreement.

Referring to the ongoing peace process, Hasanov noted the positive outcomes of President Aliyev’s visit to Washington in August 2023 and identified key issues still requiring attention, such as humanitarian demining, the fate of missing persons, and the restoration of the rights of the Western Azerbaijani Community.

The ambassador further outlined Azerbaijan’s reconstruction efforts in areas damaged during the conflict, stating that more than 50,000 former internally displaced persons have returned to their homes under the government’s “Great Return Program.”