The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is represented to the Kingdom of Belgium, European Union(EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO), and located in Brussels which is known as “the heart of Europe” as well as “the de facto capital of European Union”.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Belgium and Korea in 1901, not only is Belgium familiar to Koreans with its quality chocolates, a variety of beers, and the cartoon character “the Smurfs”, “A dog of Flanders”, but also has been a true friend with a longstanding friendship that contributed approximately 3,500 troops for the Korean War. The economic ties of the two countries have been recently strengthened in various fields such as chemistry, pharmaceuticals and semiconductor. In addition, the opening of the Songdo Global campus of University of Ghent in 2014 and the opening of Center for Korean Studies in KU Leuven in 2016 have been a bridgehead for our cooperation in education, which are contributing to more brisk and vigorous exchanges among youth through espacially in the arts and culture.
EU and Korea are further strengthening our strategic partnership established in 2010, through the visits of EU leaders to Korea and the successful hosting of the EU-Korea Summit in May 2023. As the largest single market in the world, EU is the 3rd largest trading partner for Korea as well as the 1st investor in Korea. In addition, it has recently become one of the most important partners in security for economy such as global supply chains of semiconductor and energy. Furthermore, Korea is the first country to EU which signed 3 key agreements covering political, trade and security cooperation: a Framework Agreement, Free Trade Agreement and Crisis Management and Participation Agreement. EU has actively supported Korea’s efforts in establishing peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region as a close partner.
NATO and Korea have been working closely together as global partners since 2006, and Korea has been strengthening its status and role as Global Pivotal State(GPS) by the attendance of President Yoon Suk Yeol at NATO Summits in three consecutive times since 2022. Furthermore, the opening of the Permanent Mission to NATO in November 2022 served as a stepping stone to systemize and strengthen the cooperation in emerging security issues including cyber, technology, hybrid between NATO and Korea.
Our Embassy will make its utmost efforts to enhance political, economic and cultural cooperation with EU, NATO, and Belgium, and spare no effort in ensuring safety and convenience of Koreans residing in or visiting Belgium.
Thank you.