Longstanding ties with Netherlands

By Choe Chong-dae

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands recently visited both Japan and Korea. I was deeply impressed by his courageous remark to Emperor Akihito of Japan that the only way to overcome a painful history is when people face it and remember it, rather than try to forget and bury it in oblivion. King Willem-Alexander addressed the bitter memories that Dutch civilians and soldiers still have ― those who were forced to work under abominable circumstances. And the pain that Dutch people had suffered from the Japanese army that invaded Indonesia during World War II. He emphasized that the two nations had inherited both a proud history as well as a painful history.

There is a famous Dutch saying: "God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands." A substantial part of the Netherlands is below sea level. The Dutch have always been proud about the fact that they have reclaimed a lot of their land from the sea.

I myself am fascinated by the Netherlands in many ways. To begin with, there were the first contacts with our country, when sailors landed, or rather got stranded in Korea in the 17th century. This historical relationship between the two countries dates back to 1653 when the Dutch trading ship "Sperwer" was shipwrecked off the coast of Korea with Hendrick Hamel and a crew of 36.

But this was not even the first encounter between Korea and Holland. Twenty-six years earlier another Dutchman, J. Weltevree (later naturalized Korean citizen and named Park Yon), had stepped on Korean soil as his ship was found adrift on the coast near Gyeongju in 1627. Isn’t it fascinating that with this one accidental visit a long historical relationship between Korea and the Netherlands had commenced?

Personally, I have also had the opportunity to establish close contacts with the Netherlands. In particular, through my longstanding friendship with Mr. Ronald van den Berg, the first resident ambassador of the Netherlands to Korea from 1978 to 1982. He was an enthusiastic admirer of Korean culture, history and religion. He was particularly interested in "Donghak" or Eastern Learning, which is Korea's first and most influential indigenous religion. Its name was later changed to Cheondo-gyo (Heavenly Way Religion).

During his stay in Korea, I invited him to the commemoration days of the anniversary of the founding of Cheondo-gyo. Several times he also attended the March First Independence Movement commemoration held at Pagoda Park, Seoul.

The second Dutch ambassador to Korea, Mr. A. B. Hoytink, attended my wedding ceremony in 1983. Ever since then, my longstanding friendship with the Netherlands has flourished and been maintained until today through Mr. Paul Menkveld, the present Dutch ambassador to Korea.

Additionally, ever since the year 2000 I have established an ever better relationship with National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden and University of Leiden through Dr. Steven Engelsman, the former director of the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden, Netherlands. At the invitation of Dr. Engelsman, I have had the opportunity to visit the Netherlands a couple of times. And I was able to acquaint myself with many aspects of Dutch history and culture.

Through my long friendship with the Netherlands, my brothers, Dr. Choe Chong-pil, a professor emeritus of archeology at Sejong University, Choe Chong-kan, a ceramic artist, and I had the honor of hosting a private dinner in Seoul in June 2012 with Mrs. Melanie Schultz van Haegen, the minister of infrastructure and the environment of the Netherlands.

She visited Korea during the 2012 "Yeosu Expo" with then Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander. He actually ascended the Dutch throne on April 30 2013 and enjoys a rising popularity.

An all-time high in my friendship with the Netherlands occurred recently, during the state visit of the Dutch King and Queen to Korea at the invitation of Korean President Park Geun-hye from Nov. 2 to 5. I was invited to attend the Harp recital followed by a reception in honor of Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands in the presence of Her Excellency President Park Geun-hye. It took place at the Raum Art Center in Seoul on Nov. 4 and was hosted by the present Dutch ambassador to Korea, Paul Menkveld.

The invited guests were fortunate to enjoy elegantly performed harp concertos with Arirang, a Korean traditional song by Ms. Lavinia Meijer, one of the world’s top harpists, in a solo recital which was followed by a reception. She transcribed Arirang for harp and made her own distinctive variations.

I had the honor of exchanging greetings and shaking hands with the Dutch king and queen. They actually showed much interest in The Korea Times at the reception! I believe the state visit of the Dutch king and queen has paved the way in promoting bilateral relationship between Korea and the Netherlands. My friendship and admiration for the European country will last forever!

Choe Chong-dae is a guest columnist of The Korea Times and the president of Dae-kwang International Co., as well as a director of the Korean-Swedish Association. He can be reached at dkic98@chol.com.