Islamabad – 21 October 2026 (Adnan Hameed) : The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pakistan hosted a grand reception on October 21 at its premises in Islamabad to commemorate the Republic of Korea’s National Day and Armed Forces Day, highlighting the growing friendship and cooperation between Korea and Pakistan in defence, technology, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan Han Sungho has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan, highlighting decades of friendship, economic cooperation, technological development and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Addressing a reception at his residence in Islamabad to celebrate Korean Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day, the ambassador described the 43-year relationship between the two countries as a partnership built on mutual trust and friendship, encapsulated in the Urdu word “Dosti.”
He said the bond between Korea and Pakistan extended beyond the formal establishment of diplomatic relations, recalling Pakistan’s early support for the people of South Korea through the provision of essential food and material assistance.
Describing the gesture as an expression of goodwill and a shared commitment to peace and human resilience, Han said Korea remained committed to reciprocating the support it had received from Pakistan.
The ambassador highlighted the role of Korean diplomatic missions and public-sector organizations in expanding bilateral cooperation across economic, commercial, cultural and development sectors.
He said the Karachi office was working to promote economic, commercial and cultural exchanges between Korea and Sindh, while the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) was helping strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
In Islamabad, organizations including the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) and the Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) were contributing to development cooperation in areas such as information technology, healthcare, food security and cultural heritage.
Han also highlighted the role of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) in supporting the dispatch of skilled Pakistani workers to South Korea.
Emphasizing a coordinated approach to bilateral engagement, he said the Korean Embassy and its partner organizations were committed to building a “Korea One Team” to make relations between the two countries more future-oriented and mutually beneficial.
Hangeul and IT Park projects strengthen cooperation:
The ambassador also highlighted the growing cultural and technological links between the two countries, referring to the celebrations marking the 580th anniversary of the promulgation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, and the centennial of Hangeul Day.
He said Hangeul, created by King Sejong the Great to empower the Korean people, had become an important bridge connecting Korea with the rest of the world.
Noting the growing interest in Korean language learning in Pakistan, Han specifically mentioned students at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), saying their efforts were helping deepen cultural ties between the two nations.
He also highlighted the inauguration of the Islamabad IT Park, a flagship project supported by the Korean government and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).
The inauguration ceremony, held on October 9 in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marked another milestone in Korea-Pakistan development cooperation.
Expressing confidence in the project’s potential, Han said the facility, now renamed Daanish IT Park, would support Pakistan’s young IT professionals, strengthen the country’s growing information technology exports and create new opportunities for long-term cooperation.
Call for stronger bilateral partnership:
Concluding his address, the ambassador expressed hope that the friendship between Korea and Pakistan would continue to deepen and that cooperation between the two countries would grow stronger in the years ahead.
He thanked the distinguished guests attending the reception and said the event featured performances by Pakistani participants, Korean cuisine and a video presentation showcasing South Korea’s defence industry and technological capabilities.
The reception brought together celebrations of Korea’s national identity and military, while highlighting the importance Seoul attaches to its longstanding friendship with Islamabad and the potential for expanded cooperation in trade, technology, human resource development and cultural exchange.
Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has emphasised the need to strengthen Pakistan’s economic and investment cooperation with the Republic of Korea, highlighting opportunities in trade, technology, industrial development and human resource development.
Addressing a ceremony marking South Korea’s National Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day, he praised Korea’s remarkable economic transformation and expressed Pakistan’s interest in benefiting from its development experience and technological expertise.
The minister also highlighted ongoing discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), saying enhanced trade and investment cooperation could create new business opportunities for both countries. He appreciated Korea’s development assistance through KOICA and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations.
Earlier, the ceremony commenced with the national anthems of Pakistan and the Republic of Korea.
The event brought together distinguished guests, diplomats, Pakistani government and military officials and participants from various walks of life to celebrate the longstanding ties between the two countries. It also showcased South Korea’s advanced defence industry and technological capabilities while offering guests an opportunity to experience Korean culture through K-pop performances, traditional Korean fan dance, Taekwondo demonstrations, authentic Korean cuisine and K-Beauty souvenirs.
A distinctive feature of this year’s celebration was the active participation of Pakistanis, including young K-pop performers, university students, national Taekwondo athletes and local entrepreneurs. Their involvement reflected the growing popularity of Korean culture in Pakistan and the important role of people-to-people engagement in strengthening bilateral relations.
Korean Defence Industry and Technology in Focus:
The reception highlighted the technological advancement and industrial capabilities of South Korea’s defence sector, which has continued to strengthen its position in the global market through innovation, advanced manufacturing and technological development.
The showcase provided an opportunity for Pakistani government and military officials and other distinguished guests to learn more about the capabilities of the Korean defence industry and explore the potential for broader cooperation between the two countries.
The initiative underscored the importance of mutual understanding and engagement in the defence sector as Korea and Pakistan continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship.
Pakistani Youth Showcase Korean Popular Culture:
K-pop was among the highlights of the celebration, with performances by winners of the 2025 K-pop Festival organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pakistan.
The performers entertained guests with routines inspired by Stray Kids’ CHK CHK BOOM and BTS’ MIC Drop, alongside a performance featuring music by LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and KATSEYE.
The performances showcased the talent and enthusiasm of young Pakistanis who have embraced Korean music and choreography, reflecting the expanding reach of the Korean Wave, widely known as Hallyu, in Pakistan.
By providing a platform for Pakistani performers to present Korean popular culture, the event demonstrated how cultural interests can develop into meaningful connections between people of different backgrounds.
NUML Students Present Traditional Korean Fan Dance:
The cultural programme also featured a traditional Korean fan dance performed by Hanullim, a group of students from the National University of Modern Languages (NUML).
Established in April 2025 through a cultural class under the Seed Program for Korean Studies of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), Hanullim has been learning and performing traditional Korean fan dance under the guidance of Korean instructors Yoon Buyeon and Jang Eunsook, a senior instructor at NUML.
The group comprises students from NUML’s Department of Korean Language and Culture, students studying Korean through the Department of Translation and Interpretation, and learners from the Islamabad King Sejong Institute.
NUML plays an important role in promoting Korean language and cultural education in Pakistan. The participation of its students highlighted how interest in Korean culture has expanded beyond contemporary entertainment to encompass traditional art forms and cultural heritage.
The performance illustrated the contribution of educational institutions and cultural programmes to fostering mutual understanding and strengthening connections between Korean and Pakistani communities.
Pakistan’s National Taekwondo Athletes Demonstrate Korean Martial Art:
Another major attraction was a Taekwondo demonstration by athletes from Pakistan’s Taekwondo Poomsae National Team, highlighting the sporting and cultural connections between the two countries.
Master Choi Sung-oh, a Taekwondo instructor dispatched to Pakistan by Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters, serves as head coach of Pakistan’s national poomsae team.
The team competes in recognised and freestyle poomsae events and has achieved notable results at international competitions. Pakistani athletes most recently won silver and bronze medals at the 2026 Gangwon-Chuncheon World Taekwondo Demonstration & Breaking Championships.
The participating athletes included Naila, the first Pakistani female athlete to compete in the Taekwondo poomsae event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where she advanced to the quarterfinals.
The team also included Zena Sheraz and Ameer Hamza, who represented Pakistan at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, along with Usman Sial, an international-level athlete and captain of the demonstration team, and Muhammad Sarmad Waheed, a member of the national poomsae team with international competition experience.
The demonstration underscored Taekwondo’s role in strengthening sporting exchanges and people-to-people relations between Korea and Pakistan, demonstrating how a Korean martial art has become an avenue for Pakistani athletes to develop their skills and represent their country internationally.
Korean Cuisine Offers a Taste of Korea:
Guests also had the opportunity to experience authentic Korean cuisine prepared by a Korean chef from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
The reception featured Bok Dak Bok, a locally based Korean food station operated by Pakistanis, which presented Korean dishes to attendees.
The participation of the Pakistani-operated business highlighted the growing interest in Korean cuisine in Pakistan and the contribution of local entrepreneurs to introducing Korean culinary traditions to Pakistani consumers.
Together, the Embassy’s Korean chef and Bok Dak Bok demonstrated how food can serve as a bridge between cultures, bringing people closer through shared culinary experiences and creating opportunities for local businesses to promote international cuisines.
K-Beauty Adds a Contemporary Touch :
As part of the celebrations, guests received Korean beauty, or K-Beauty, sheet masks as souvenirs, introducing them to another popular aspect of contemporary Korean culture.
Alongside K-pop, traditional dance, Taekwondo and Korean cuisine, the souvenirs showcased the diversity of Korea’s cultural presence and the growing international appeal of its beauty and lifestyle products.
The inclusion of K-Beauty reflected how Korean cultural influence extends beyond music and entertainment into everyday consumer experiences.
People-to-People Connections at the Heart of Korea-Pakistan Friendship:
The reception highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges in strengthening relations between Korea and Pakistan, with Pakistani performers, university students, athletes and entrepreneurs playing an active role in the celebrations.
From young Pakistanis performing K-pop choreography and university students presenting traditional Korean dance to national athletes demonstrating Taekwondo and local entrepreneurs introducing Korean cuisine, the event illustrated how cultural engagement has become an important dimension of bilateral friendship.
Korean culture has gained increasing visibility in Pakistan through music, entertainment, cuisine, martial arts, beauty products and educational initiatives. This growing interest has created opportunities for cultural learning, collaboration and a deeper appreciation of each country’s traditions.
By bringing together a showcase of defence technology and a diverse cultural programme, the Embassy’s celebration highlighted the breadth of Korea-Pakistan engagement and the potential to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors.
The event also demonstrated that bilateral friendship is built not only through official and institutional engagement but also through the participation of ordinary citizens, young people, students, athletes and business communities.
The celebration of Korea’s National Day and Armed Forces Day thus served as an opportunity to recognise the longstanding friendship between the two countries and reaffirm the importance of mutual understanding, cultural exchange and cooperation in further strengthening ties between the peoples of Korea and Pakistan.