(Unofficial Translation)

Honorable people of Spain, President of the Senate Llop, President of the Congress of Deputies Batet and Members of Parliament,

It is very meaningful for me to meet you all this year as it is the first of another 70 years for our two countries. I am deeply grateful to the two Presidents and Members of Parliament for allowing me to become the first President of the Republic of Korea to deliver a speech before the Spanish Parliament.  

Spain was once referred to as the end of the world. The Spanish people, however, turned the end of the old world to the beginning of the new. Approximately 500 years ago, Spain spearheaded the transition to modern history beginning with Magellan and Elcano’s voyage around the world. This has empowered Spain to now encompass a variety of civilizations. Christian and Muslim civilizations as well as ancient and contemporary timelines coexist within Spain’s embrace.

In 2005, a Spanish initiative launched the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations – a milestone marking a new beginning for the history of humanity. The Madrid train terrorist bombings shocked the entire world, but the Spanish people confronted them with justice and the spirit of nonviolence. Spain, in fact, emerged as a forward-looking advanced country that leads the Alliance of Civilizations. The Republic of Korea is very proud to be a member of the Group of Friends of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations. 

As Spain recovers from COVID-19, the country’s spirit of inclusiveness and solidarity shines all the more brightly. In November 2020, Spain led the launch of the “Together for stronger multilateralism” initiative and has been at the forefront of the efforts to have its declaration at the 75th anniversary of the United Nations a reality. As a leader of the Ibero-American Community of Nations, the country has promised to donate vaccines to Latin American nations. Since joining the Community as an observer, Korea has been expanding substantive cooperation. In the latter half of this year, Korea plans to hold a seminar to seek ways for future-oriented development in celebration of the 5th anniversary of Korea becoming an observer. 

Presidents of the Senate and the Congress of Deputies, Members of Parliament, 

During my visit to Spain this time, I could feel once again that the peoples of our two countries share a lot in common: Both are dynamic and creative and love their families, neighbors and the value of a community.

Spain seeks to be a “connecting country” that resolves divides in the international community through inclusiveness, mutual benefit, understanding and consultations. Korea envisions being a “bridging country” that connects the continent with oceans and advanced nations with developing ones and spearheads a peaceful and prosperous order in Asia. Indeed, Spain and Korea resemble one another remarkably.

Above all, the most striking similarity between our two countries is our democratic spirit and practices. Having overcome civil war and authoritarian rule in the 20th century, both of our peoples achieved democratization in a very short time – half a century. Our countries are now globally recognized as mature democracies. The strength of our democracies originates from a heartfelt desire to deeply respect and care for neighbors – a sentiment that exerts even greater power amid the COVID-19 crisis.

In March last year, many Spaniards opened their windows at 8 o’clock every evening to applaud medical professionals and show solidarity. This deeply impressed people around the world. At midnight on May 9, as everyone in Spain celebrated the lifting of a six-month national state of emergency to control the pandemic, I also sensed the same joy on the opposite side of the earth.  

As our inoculation gains speed, the Korean people will also recover their daily routines and achieve an economic leap forward through the Korean New Deal. 

I extend my profound respect to the people of Spain who have overcome the crisis by giving each other encouragement. I feel a deep sense of kinship and pride in the fact that you are overcoming COVID-19 through the power of solidarity and cooperation.

Presidents of the Senate and the Congress of Deputies, Members of Parliament,

I am pleased to announce that our two countries have upgraded bilateral relations to a strategic partnership today.

Now, through enhanced cooperation built upon the friendship and trust that we 
have solidified over the past 70 years, we will create a new beginning with a shared prosperity in Asia, Europe and the rest of the world.

If Spain, a pacesetter in eco-friendly energy, joins forces with Korea, a digital powerhouse, we could generate synergy through economic cooperation centered on the green and digital sectors – the core of the post-COVID-19 era.

Spanish companies are already investing in Korea’s offshore wind farms, and Korean companies are entering Spain’s solar power generation business. I look forward to the cooperation between our two governments and between the companies of both countries accelerating as a result of the bilateral MOUs signed today in the areas of Industry 4.0, startups and clean energy.

Our joint entry into the markets of third countries will also be enhanced. In addition to existing construction- and infrastructure-related cooperation, I hope that we will jointly enter the 5G, electric vehicle and new and renewable energy markets, thereby expanding our shared growth around the world beyond Asia and Latin America. I hope that the legislatures of our two countries will provide support through close exchanges.

During this visit, our two countries agreed to extend the 2020-2021 Korea-Spain Mutual Visit Years. 

Korean people are fond of the Camino de Santiago. When reading “Don Quixote,” Koreans empathize with the human agony that lies beneath the humorous exploits of that immortal character of Spanish creation. In the works of Picasso, one of the 20th century’s most gifted artists, they reflect on the value of the love that extends beyond ideology and the DNA of artistic creativity that stretches all the way back to the cave paintings of Altamira. In Gaudi’s nature-inspired curves, they sense the great spirit of inclusiveness, and in Tárrega’s music, they appreciate the time-honored elegance of the Alhambra.

The Spanish people also adore Korean culture and art. The number of places in Spain where they can learn Korean is increasing, and they are experiencing Korea’s spirit and culture through taekwondo. Spaniards in increasing numbers are enjoying K-pop and Korean films as well.

I hope that the friendship and trust between our two peoples deepen further through the extension of the 2020-2021 Korea-Spain Visit Mutual Years as agreed upon in our meeting. 

Honorable people of Spain, President of the Senate Llop, President of the Congress of Deputies Batet and Members of Parliament,

Another 70 years have just begun for our two countries. Spain and Korea will usher in a future of shared prosperity by jointly responding to new challenges through inclusiveness, mutual benefit, solidarity and cooperation. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak before the Senate and the Congress of Deputies and for listening carefully.

Once again, I express my gratitude for your hospitality, and I wish the Spanish legislature endless progress. 

Thank you.