President Moon Jae-in received letters of credence from six new ambassadors to Korea at the main building of Cheong Wa Dae at 10:00 this morning.

Today’s credentials presentation ceremony was attended by Irish Ambassador to Korea Julian Clare, Austrian Ambassador to Korea Michael Schwarzinger, Ghanaian Ambassador to Korea Difie Agyarko Kusi, Tanzanian Ambassador to Korea Matilda Masuka, Polish Ambassador to Korea Piotr Ostaszewski and Ukraine Ambassador to Korea Olexander Horin. Notably, Ambassador Masuka became the first full-time Tanzanian Ambassador to Korea this year marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Congratulating the new ambassadors to Korea on their assignment, President Moon expressed the hope their assumption of the post would serve as a catalyst for taking bilateral relations to the next level. 

President Moon went on to note that North Korean nuclear development and missile provocations have escalated tensions on and around the Korean Peninsula, adding that the issue is becoming an international threat beyond Northeast Asia. He continued to say he was grateful to the countries of the new ambassadors for their support for Korea’s stance in regard to how to respond to the North Korean nuclear issue, calling for their further support and cooperation on complying with sanctions resolutions against the North. The President also said he looked forward to the ambassadors’ interest and participation in the PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Korea next year.

The new ambassadors responded by proposing they work together to expand economic and cultural interactions, including binational people-to-people exchanges and trade cooperation. At the end of the ceremony, they invited President Moon to visit their countries for summit diplomacy.