Diplomatic ties between Korea & Hungary inked 30 years ago allowed Korea to pave the way for its North-Policy diplomacy including the Russian Federation & many former CIS countries, according to observers.

To observe both countries' 30 years diplomatic ties as well as the 63rd anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight, Hungary envoy Amb. Dr. Mózes Csoma hosted a diplomatic reception for the first time since presenting his credentials at a downtown hotel Seoul last Wendesday evening (Oct. 23) while stressing that Korea-Budapest airline has been launched and Hungary Cultural Institute will be opened on this Dec. in Seoul.

From the standpoint of diplomatic horizon, Hungary was the first country which established its diplomatic ties with Korea in the eastern Europe region. In that regard, Korea has been regarded as an important partner in the process of Eastern Europe countries' democratization.

Touching upon its 63rd anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight, Csoma introduced that Hungary 1956 Revolution was the strongest resistance against former Soviet Communism which served at the same time as the basis of Germany unification at its initial stage.

It is noteworthy that Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has said in his commemoration speech on the 63rd anniversary of the 1956 Revolution and Freedom Fight: "In October 1956 we joined forces. And once we had done so, we performed a miracle. We performed a miracle, and rose to heights never seen before, adding The freedom fighters of 1956 gave the most beautiful, the highest and the most precious thing one can sacrifice for their country. They gave their lives, they gave their freedom, they accepted exile: the bitter fruit of separation from one’s homeland."

As regarding 5th ROK-Visegrad Group in which Hungary takes part in it as one member, (V4) Meeting of Deputy Ministers for Political Affairs which took place on March 26, this year in Seoul, The two sides took note that cooperation between the ROK and the V4 is increasing in a range of areas, including political, economic and cultural affairs, as well as people-to-people exchanges, and that Korean companies’ investments in the V4 countries are expanding, according to MOFAT.

As the ROK marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Hungary and Poland this year and marked the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Slovakia in 2018, and will mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic in 2020, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperative relations between the ROK and the V4 and its member states.

In addition, the two sides noted that trade and investments had been continuously increasing since the ROK-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force in 2011. Regarding Korean companies’ investments, which were previously focused on the manufacturing sector, including the car, parts and electronics industries, and are now expanding to electric car batteries and R&D, Deputy Minister Yoon requested the V4 countries’ interest and support for Korean companies.