Azerbaijan embassy hosts Khojaly genocide symposium

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Korea Ramin Hasanov delivers his speech during a symposium dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Embassy of Azerbaijan in Seoul

The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan hosted a 2nd symposium dedicated to the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly genocide in Seoul on Wednesday. The event, co-organized by the Korea-Azerbaijan Association of Daegu-Gyeongbuk and EdunietyLab of Korea, gathered ambassadors, embassy representatives, scholars, journalists and key figures in cultural and academic relations between Korea and Azerbaijan.

The commemoration marked the events of Feb. 25-26, 1992, when Armenian armed forces, aided by the former USSR’s 366th Infantry Guards Regiment, launched an attack on the city of Khojaly in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region. This assault resulted in the forced displacement of 5,379 residents and the deaths of 613 civilians, while the fate of 150 hostages remains unknown to this day, according to the embassy.

Ramin Hasanov, ambassador of Azerbaijan to Korea, addressed the attendees, emphasizing that remembrance of the Khojaly genocide serves both as an act of solidarity with the victims and a call for global justice. He highlighted that some suspects of the genocide are currently facing trial and underscored Azerbaijan’s 2020 victory in the Patriotic War, which restored sovereignty over formerly occupied territories. The ambassador urged the international community to ensure legal accountability for war crimes.

The symposium featured panel discussions condemning the Khojaly massacre and expressed condolences for its victims. Lim Myeong-mook, a master’s student at Seoul National University, shared his experiences from a recent study visit to Azerbaijan, where he witnessed the nation's efforts to preserve historical memory.

Discussions also explored pathways for peace and cooperation in the South Caucasus, with panelists acknowledging Korea’s potential role in fostering regional stability. Professor Oh Chong-jin, head of Turkish-Azerbaijani Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, noted growing public interest in Azerbaijan and highlighted his department’s initiatives to enhance awareness about the country in Korea.

Oh Young-sub, assistant professor of Multicultural Education at Inha University, spoke on Azerbaijan’s multicultural traditions and how Azerbaijani students at Inha University exemplify strong intercultural competencies. Award-winning Korean novelist Yoo Su-jin, who translated Azerbaijani folklore into Korean, shared her inspiration for engaging with Azerbaijani literature.

EdunietyLab CEO Lee Kee-teack and Research Institute head Lim Sung-hee discussed their educational projects in Azerbaijan and expressed interest in expanding cooperation.

The event concluded with a collective call to recognize the Khojaly tragedy as genocide and to reinforce bilateral ties between Korea and Azerbaijan through cultural, academic and diplomatic engagements.