1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun met with outgoing Greek Ambassador to Korea Ifigeneia Kontoleontos on July 9, before her departure from Korea after 3 years and 9 months of service, and conveyed gratitude to Ambassador Kontoleontos for her contribution to strengthening bilateral relations through high-level exchanges, since taking office as Ambassador to Korea in 2017.

2. Vice Minister Choi extended deep appreciation to Greece for sending more than 10,000 soldiers to Korea during the Korean War even before the establishment of diplomatic relations, and greatly appreciated that the close relationship between Korea and Greece has advanced in various areas, including the political field, economy and culture, for 60 years since the establishment of their diplomatic relations in 1961.

° Vice Minister Choi hoped to expand the scope of cooperation to various sectors including energy and infrastructure beyond traditional cooperation such as the shipbuilding and shipping industries, and also asked for Ambassador Kontoleontos’s continued concern and support for Korea even after her departure. 

3. Ambassador Kontoleontos replied that she would continue to strive to enhance the bilateral relationship between the two countries even after leaving Korea, on the basis of the relations she built during her service as Ambassador to Korea.