In his opening remarks at the reception which was held at The Hotel Shilla, a day ahead of the country's public holiday on June 23, Luxembourg Ambassador to Seoul Jacques Flies said the occasion provided an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the two countries and look ahead to a more ambitious partnership.
He said relations between Luxembourg and Korea had gained strong momentum over the past year, particularly in the financial sector, as the two countries seek to deepen economic cooperation.
Flies highlighted closer cooperation in banking, payment services, and asset management, saying the Luxembourg Stock Exchange has helped connect South Korean issuers to global capital markets.
He said South Korean entities have raised about 27 billion euros through 38 bonds listed in Luxembourg over the past two years, with some 2.8 billion euros listed on the Luxembourg Green Exchange, supporting sustainable development projects in South Korea.
Citing green finance as a key area of Luxembourg's expertise, he said Luxembourg's membership in the Global Green Growth Institute, headquartered in Seoul, reflects its commitment to sustainable growth with South Korea.
He also said cooperation was expanding into space, quantum technology, and healthcare, amid growing exchanges between companies and institutions in both countries.
South Korea's ambassador and deputy minister for public diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lim Sang-woo, also delivered remarks at the event. He stressed the historical bond between the two countries which was forged during the Korean War (1950~1953), when Luxembourg sent troops to South Korea, more than a decade before the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1962.
Lim recalled that Luxembourg dispatched more than 85 soldiers to the distant Asian country, despite still recovering from World War II and having a population of about 200,000 at the time.
On behalf of the South Korean government, Lim also said his country would always remember the sacrifice of Luxembourg's soldiers and that their friendship has since grown into a broader partnership.
Pointing to bilateral trade rising by more than 60 percent in 2025 from a year earlier, he expressed hope for further growth and exchanges. Lim also said Luxembourg's accession to the Global Green Growth Institute would create new opportunities for environmental cooperation between the two countries.
"True friendship that transcends borders runs deeper than mere interests and stands firm in the face of any challenge," Lim said.
He added that the relationship between South Korea and Luxembourg would become an "even more shining treasure" in the years to come.
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