Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Major party leaders congratulate India on Republic Day
Indian Ambassador to Korea Sripriya Ranganathan speaks during a celebration of the 72nd Republic Day at the embassy in Seoul, Jan. 26. Republic Day marks the 1950 enactment of India's Constitution. / Courtesy of Embassy of India
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
The leaders of Korea's major political parties congratulated India on its Republic Day, which honors the enactment of the country's constitution on Jan. 26, 1950.
In a video message shared by the Embassy of India in Korea, ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Lee Nak-yon and main opposition People Power Party interim leader Kim Chong-in both expressed hope for bilateral relations to continue to prosper.
“For thousands of years since ancient times, we have stayed connected,” Lee said.
He referred to the marriage between Kim Suro, the legendary founder of the Gaya Confederacy (42-562) and Indian princess Suriratna, also known as Heo Hwang-ok, who traveled to Korea in the year 48.
In 1929, Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore praised Korea, which was a Japanese colony then, as “the Lamp of the East.”
Lee said President Moon Jae-in and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi “have built the best partnership” through their visits to each other's countries in 2018 and 2019.
“In the future, the two countries will have more interaction and cooperate deeper … Congratulations on the Republic Day of India and best wishes for a prosperous future,” Lee said.
The PPP interim leader noted that bilateral relations, after their establishment in 1973, were upgraded to a special strategic partnership in 2015 when Saenuri Party, a predecessor of the PPP, was the ruling party.
“My congratulations on the 72nd anniversary of Indian Republic Day … I look forward to deepening various exchanges and friendly cooperative relations between the two countries in the future,” Kim said.
Indian Ambassador to Korea Sripriya Ranganathan, third from left, joins the unfurling of the national flag with other embassy officials during a celebration of the 72nd Republic Day at the embassy, Seoul, Jan. 26. / Courtesy of Embassy of India
Also through a video message, DPK lawmaker and National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee Chairman Song Young-gil and presidential economic adviser and Presidential Committee on New Southern Policy Chairman Park Bok-yeong viewed the New Southern Policy will help expand bilateral ties with India.
Announced in 2017, the policy is Moon's signature diplomatic initiative aimed at bolstering relations with Southeast Asian countries and other countries situated further south than Korea including India.
Song noted that India, with its 1.3 billion population, is witnessing development as a democratic nation.
Park said the Indian population is young and vibrant and that the country's potential for growth “has no limits.”
As part of the 72nd Republic Day celebration, Jan. 26, Indian Ambassador to Korea Sripriya Ranganathan hosted an unfurling ceremony of the national flag at the embassy.
The event was livestreamed on the embassy's Facebook and YouTube channels, with a small number of people participating in person due to social distancing measures.
Ranganathan spoke about the importance of the special day and read a speech on behalf of Indian President Shri Ram Nath Kovind.
The celebration included patriotic songs sung by children of embassy officials, “gayageum” (zither-like traditional Korean string instrument) performances by musicians from Gimhae, the ancient capital of Gaya, and dance performances from the Indian community.