The Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Chardalias, in the context of his official visit to the Republic of Korea, had today, Monday 5 September 2022, a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Mr. Minshik Park.

At their meeting, which was held in a very good spirit, Mr. Hardalias and Mr. Park confirmed the strong friendship ties between the two countries, that were forged by their common struggle for freedom, democracy and peace, in particular during the Korean War.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence thanked Mr. Park for their fruitful cooperation and the Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs’ generous contribution for the relocation of the Monument of Greek Soldiers Fallen in the Korean War, to a new prominent place, in the Yeoju Yeongwol Park.

In addition, the Deputy Minister of National Defence met today with his Eminence, the Metropolitan of Korea & Exarch of Japan, Mr. Ambrosios, at the seat of the Metropolis in the Saint Nicholas Cathedral.

Mr. Hardalias was briefed on by the Metropolitan of Korea & Exarch of Japan, Mr. Ambrosios on matters pertaining to the Orthodox Church of Korea. Afterwards, he toured Saint Nicholas Church, the Chapel of Saint Maximus the Greek, and the Museum of Greco-Roman Art, where 152 plaster casts are exhibited, and the Metropolis’ library, where rare original service books, translated in various languages, are preserved.

Mr. Hardalias praised the work of the Metropolis in the Korean society, and of his Eminence the Metropolitan Mr. Ambrosios, whom he thanked for his contribution to the strong presence of the Orthodox Church and Hellenism in Korea, by developing actions, such as sending humanitarian help to the people of Ukraine suffering by the war, and the establishment of a publishing house with Greek books translated in numerous languages, an initiative that contributes to preserving and disseminating worldwide the Greek culture, highlighting at the same time the support of the Greek Government.

Finally, in the context of the Deputy Minister of National Defence’s visit to the Metropolis of Korea, a delegation of South Korean students at the Department of Greek Studies at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies read a thank-you letter in the Greek language, for Greece’s contribution to the War of Korea.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence was accompanied at his meetings by the Ambassador of Greece to Korea Ms. Aikaterini Loupa.