Welcoming Remarks by H.E. Cho Tae-yul
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea
19th Annual Iftar Dinner
March 11, 2025

Ambassador Chafik Rachadi,
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,
Ambassador Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi,
Dean of the Arab Ambassadors,
Esteemed Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps in Seoul,
Leaders of the Muslim Community in Korea,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamu Alaikum,
Wa Ramadan Kareem!

My warm welcome to all of you to this year's Iftar Dinner.

My first experience with Ramadan was three decades ago when I served as Counsellor at our Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

It was there that I learned a valuable lesson: the best speech before Iftar is a short one!

I'll do my best to heed this sage advice tonight -- but please forgive me if I get a little carried away by my enthusiasm for being with you.

This evening, I'd like to pay tribute to Ramadan by highlighting three themes that embody its spirit: remembrance, togetherness, and peace.

First, remembrance.

I am aware that Ramadan is an occasion for Muslims around the globe to remember and reaffirm their devotion to faith, and by extension, their connection to their homeland and heritage.
What a proud heritage it is.

Throughout history, Muslim civilizations have profoundly enriched humanity, by bridging cultures and illuminating new ways of thinking.

You can find the indelible mark they left on Korea's history, too.

Visualize Gyeongju -- the venue of APEC Summit this year as it was a millennia ago during the ancient Silla Dynasty.

Archaeologists have unearthed relics here that traveled thousands of kilometers from regions as distant as Egypt, Syria, and Central Asia, providing a tantalizing glimpse into a mingling of cultures in ancient times.

Consider also the fact that it was the Arab merchants who first spread the name "Corea" around the world, as their exchanges with Goryeo Dynasty flourished during the Middle Ages.

In modern times, Turkish veterans of the Korean War established the "Ankara Orphanage" in Suwon, sheltering hundreds of war orphans.

This noble act laid the foundation for the growth of the current Muslim community in Korea.

The so-called 'Middle East Boom' in the 1970s and 80s, particularly in the Gulf region, catalyzed a pivotal turning point in Korea's economic development.

You continue to find the footprints of our exchanges in Korea.

One of our most iconic landmarks in Seoul is the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, a creation by world-renowned Iraqi-British architect, Zaha Hadid.

And if you go a little southward from the DDP, you find the "Muslims Street," lined with halal restaurants and shops which have opened near the Itaewon Mosque.

Even our dessert market has been dominated recently by Turkish Kaymak and Dubai Chocolate, adored especially by young Koreans.

Reflecting on each of these stories reminds us that we have been connected across continents and over millennia.

This brings me to my second point: togetherness.

Just as Ramadan unites families and communities over Iftar, Korea is dedicated to strengthening its bonds of friendship with the Islamic world.

Home to nearly two billion people, or a quarter of the world's population, its youthful energy, dynamic economies and abundant resources make the Islamic world a vital player on the global stage.

Korea is actively expanding its relations with the member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Last year witnessed highest-level engagements with key partners such as UAE, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.

Early this year, in a historic move, a government delegation from the Republic of Korea travelled to Syria to meet with senior officials of the transitional government.

Furthermore, through platforms like the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum, Korea Middle East Cooperation Forum, and Korea-Africa Summit we continue to seek sustainable cooperation, fostering mutual prosperity.

I cannot stress enough that these bonds of friendship are only made possible by the dedication of all those gathered here Ambassadors, Muslim leaders in Korea, scholars, members of the media and business leaders.

I thank you for your tremendous efforts in bringing our peoples closer together.

With that, I turn to the last and the most critical point: peace.

It is deeply meaningful that the Arabic word, "Islam," and the word for "peace", salam, share the same root.

Sadly, today's global landscape is far from peaceful.

You may recall that last year, at this very event, I noted that we were enduring times of "great pain."

Since then, conflicts around the world have continued unabated, bringing suffering to countless innocent people.

The profound human suffering that people continue to endure in many regions call for sustained global attention, compassion and committed diplomatic efforts to build lasting peace and stability.

Korea, for its part, extended humanitarian assistance to regions including Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Sudan last year, with the hopes to contribute to their stability and recovery.

This year, too, Korea continues its diplomatic efforts for global peace and prosperity, leveraging its membership on the UN Security Council, Human Rights Council and Economic and Social Council.

"The wound is the place where the light enters you," penned Rumi, the beloved Islamic poet.

As we hold in our hearts the countless lives touched by conflicts on this holy occasion, I turn to his words for solace and wisdom.

May this Ramadan be a time of remembrance, togetherness and, most importantly, peace. Thank you, and Ramadan Mubarak. /END/