Bilateral trade grows 2.6 times; expanding cooperation through public diplomacy emphasized
The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Korea hosted a reception on July 1 at the Ambassador Pullman Hotel in Seoul to celebrate the country’s Independence Day. The event gathered diplomats, politicians, business leaders, and cultural figures from various countries. Belarusian Ambassador to Korea, Andrew Chernetsky, delivered welcoming remarks.
“Belarus celebrates its Independence Day on the anniversary of the liberation of Minsk, our capital, from Nazi occupation,” said Ambassador Chernetsky. “It is a day to remember the sacrifices of our ancestors who fought for our country’s freedom.”
Cultural and civil exchanges between South Korea and Belarus were highlighted as a key theme of the evening. Ambassador Chernetsky noted that a Korean delegation had, for the first time, participated in the international observation mission of the Belarusian presidential election. He also mentioned that a Korean film professional served as a juror at the Minsk International Film Festival (MIFF) last year.
In addition, the ambassador introduced an upcoming performance by Korean vocalist Lee Yeon-seong at the “Slavianski Bazaar 2025” arts festival in Vitebsk, emphasizing the growing importance of cultural collaboration between the two nations.
Ambassador Chernetsky also expressed hopes for stronger economic and industrial cooperation. He noted that Belarus’s exports to Korea have recently surged by 2.6 times, signaling promising trends in bilateral trade.
“Many people in Korea are not familiar with Belarus,” he remarked, stressing the importance of objective perspectives from those who have personally experienced the country. “Diplomacy begins with trust between people,” he concluded, voicing hope for continued direct communication and cooperation between the citizens of both nations.
