InterviewKorea, Belgium mark 125 years of ties built on trust, trade, shared values

Belgian Ambassador to Korea Bruno Jans speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the Embassy of Belgium in Seoul, March 11. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin

Belgium and Korea mark the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations on Monday, celebrating a partnership that has evolved from tentative contact in the late 19th century into broad cooperation spanning politics, trade, technology, security, culture and education.

Belgian Ambassador to Korea Bruno Jans described the relationship as one built on trust above all, pointing to shared values, economic complementarity and a long record of support during difficult moments.

“If I had to choose one word, it would be trust. Trust has shaped our relationship from the start,” Jans said in an interview with The Korea Times ahead of the diplomatic milestone.

Belgium’s interest in Korea dates back to the late 1800s, when Belgian diplomats and newspapers began paying attention to the country, then known in Europe as the Hermit Kingdom. One of the first exchanges took place in Yokohama, Japan, in 1882, where Belgium’s envoy, Charles de Groote, explored the possibility of establishing formal ties.

That interest culminated in the 1901 Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, signed in Seoul by Belgian diplomat Leon Vincart and Korean Foreign Minister Pak Che-sun. Vincart later became consul general, while Korea appointed Min Yong-chan, fluent in English and French, as its first diplomat to Belgium.

Jans said Belgium appealed to Korea in part because it was seen as a neutral European partner during a period of regional instability.

“One of the reasons King Gojong was interested in diplomatic relations with Belgium was our status as a neutral country,” Jans said, referring to the last king of the [1392-1910] Joseon Dynasty. “Belgium itself gained independence while surrounded by powerful neighbors.”

The former Belgian consulate, completed in 1905 in Hoehyeon-dong, central Seoul, was relocated to Namhyeon-dong in the southern part of the city in 1983 and now serves as the Nam-Seoul Museum of Art. Courtesy of Embassy of Belgium in Seoul

Following the establishment of diplomatic ties, Belgium built a legation in Seoul and moved into the building around 1904. The mission later closed amid political upheaval and Japanese colonial rule and Belgium did not reopen its embassy in Seoul until 1970.

The original legation building still exists today. Korean authorities dismantled it brick by brick in the late 1970s and rebuilt it at its current site in southern Seoul, where it now operates as the Nam-Seoul Museum of Art and is a state-designated Historic Site.

“It remains a symbol of the long-standing tradition which Belgium and Korea have been maintaining for 125 years,” Jans said.

The bilateral relationship deepened during the 1950-53 Korean War, when 3,498 Belgian soldiers served under the U.N. flag. Belgium suffered 101 fatalities, 478 wounded and five missing, Jans said, noting that he appreciates Korea continuing to honor Belgian veterans through memorials and commemorative events.

Belgium’s engagement continued after the war through reconstruction and humanitarian efforts. Jans highlighted the work of Belgian missionary Father Didier t’Serstevens, better known in Korea as Ji Jeong-hwan, who introduced cheesemaking to Imsil in North Jeolla Province, laying the foundation for what later became a regional industry.

Belgian troops pose after arriving to serve in the Korean War in 1951. Courtesy of Embassy of Belgium in Seoul

Belgium also supported Korea through multilateral channels during the 1997–98 Asian financial crisis and the two countries cooperated closely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Belgium is one of the world’s major vaccine production hubs, while Korea contributed manufacturing capacity and public health expertise.

Jans said the partnership between Belgium and Korea is distinctive because of how closely the two countries’ outlooks align.

“Both countries support democracy, multilateral cooperation and open trade,” he said. “That naturally creates a solid basis of mutual trust.”

Batteries, chips and offshore wind

Economic ties between the two nations increasingly center on advanced industry. According to Jans, Belgium and Korea are both medium-sized nations with export-driven economies that rely heavily on innovation and research and development.

That similarity is visible in areas such as battery materials, semiconductors, offshore wind, biotechnology and sustainable manufacturing.

Belgian materials group Umicore, for example, operates facilities in Korea and is a global leader in battery materials and recycling. Jans also cited Syensqo, Solvay and Belgian semiconductor research center IMEC, which collaborates with Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.

In the energy sector, he highlighted cooperation between Belgian offshore engineering group Jan De Nul and Korean cable manufacturer LS Cable in subsea cables and offshore wind infrastructure.

The ambassador said the EU-Korea Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2011, has significantly expanded bilateral commerce.

Belgium exports chemicals, pharmaceuticals and high-tech products to Korea, while Korean exports to Belgium include automobiles, electronics and industrial equipment. Belgian firms have continued expanding in Korea, while Korean investment in Belgium has also grown in sectors such as logistics and renewable energy.

Brussels as diplomatic hub

Political dialogue between the two countries has seen renewed momentum following the pandemic.

He pointed to recent visits to Korea by Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot and Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval, as well as Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul’s visit to Brussels earlier this year.

Belgium’s position as host to major international institutions also makes it an important platform for Korea’s engagement with Europe.

Brussels hosts the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, parts of the European Parliament and NATO headquarters, offering Korea opportunities to deepen policy dialogue on trade, security, digital governance and climate policy.

Official logo marking the 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Belgium / Courtesy of Embassy of Belgium in Seoul

“As the EU shapes global regulatory frameworks on issues such as green transition, data and artificial intelligence, maintaining a strong presence in Brussels is increasingly relevant,” Jans said.

Cultural and academic exchanges are also expanding. Ghent University Global Campus in Songdo, Incheon, remains the only European university operating its own branch in Korea.

“Cultural diplomacy is not only about showcasing heritage,” Jans said. “It is about shaping a shared future.”

For Jans personally, the anniversary carries special meaning.

“I feel privileged to be serving Belgium in this vibrant country in such a symbolic year,” he said.

“This anniversary reminds us of the many people — diplomats, entrepreneurs, artists, researchers and students — who have shaped this relationship over time.”