Samar Yahya

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Korean Consul General Nak-young Oh and his wife held a reception to celebrate 4,347th Korean National Foundation Day at their residence in Jeddah on Wednesday.



The guests included Ambassador Fareed Kamel Azhar, deputy director general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Makkah Region branch.



“On behalf of the Republic of Korea and Korean community in the western region of Saudi Arabia, I would like to express sincere gratitude and appreciation for your attendance to celebrate our National Day,” said Nak-young while welcoming the guests.



He said bilateral cooperation between the two countries was "most thriving during the 1970s and 80s when Korean construction workers exerted great efforts with Saudi colleagues to modernize various infrastructures of the Kingdom. Since then, the Kingdom has been one of the most important partners to the Korean economy.”



The consul general said the recent return of Korean companies to the Kingdom was "extremely encouraging". He hoped bilateral relations would be further expanded and deepened by solidifying a responsible partnership.



He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the government and people of Saudi Arabia for their warm hospitality.



The trade volume between Korea and Saudi Arabia reached $46.5 billion in 2013, making the Kingdom the fourth largest trading partner to Korea. The trade volume between the two countries in the first half of 2014 reached $26.7 billion, where Korean imports from the Kingdom accounted for $22 billion.



Korea will host activities of the Saudi-Korean Business Forum from Oct. 29 to 31. Also 4th Jeddah Korea Business Show will take place in Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) on Nov. 4.