Czech National Day reception marks 35 years of ties with South Korea

By Park Sae-jin Posted : October 28, 2025, 10:43 Updated : October 28, 2025, 10:43
Ambassador Ivan Jančárek delivers a welcome address during the Independent Czechoslovak State Day reception at a hotel in central Seoul on October 27 Yoo Na-hyun
Ambassador Ivan Jančárek delivers a welcome address during the "Independent Czechoslovak State Day" reception at a hotel in central Seoul on October 27. Yoo Na-hyun

SEOUL, October 28 (AJP) - A reception celebrating the Independent Czechoslovak State Day was held Monday evening at a hotel in central Seoul, drawing some 250 guests from the diplomatic, business, academic, and media communities.

Hosted by H.E. Ivan Jančárek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to South Korea, and Mrs. Andrea Jančárková, the event marked the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

 
Members of the Severáček Choir from the Czech Republic perform during the pre-event session of the Independent Czechoslovak State Day reception held at a hotel in central Seoul on October 27 AJP Yoo Na-hyun
Members of the Severáček Choir from the Czech Republic perform during the pre-event session of the "Independent Czechoslovak State Day" reception held at a hotel in central Seoul on October 27. AJP Yoo Na-hyun

The evening opened with a performance by the Severáček Choir from the Czech Republic, setting a warm tone before the official speeches.

Ambassador Jančárek welcomed guests and called the year a milestone in bilateral relations. "These anniversaries remind us how far our two nations have come together and how strong and dynamic our relationship has become," he said. He highlighted growing cooperation across politics, economy, and culture, as well as a recent meeting between Presidents Petr Pavel and Yoon Suk Yeol in New York.

He also noted the signing of an agreement to build two nuclear power units in Dukovany, calling it a "historic accomplishment" that will strengthen energy security and expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, e-mobility, defense, and nuclear technology.

Vice Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sin-hak delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of the South Korean government. "Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1990, South Korea and Czechia have steadily expanded cooperation, elevating our relationship to a strategic partnership in 2015," he said.

Moon described the Dukovany nuclear power project as the largest investment in Czech history, expressing confidence in its success. He added that both countries are exploring new areas of collaboration, including robotics, next-generation vehicles, and batteries, and are pursuing an industrial cooperation center to promote joint research and talent exchange.

He also emphasized the shared democratic values of the two nations and recalled Czech support for Korea’s independence movement in the early 20th century.

Ambassador Jančárek closed by thanking the partners and supporters of the event. "I believe the near future will bring us only positive news, and I look forward to further cooperation and friendship between Czechia and South Korea," he said.
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