The last leg of the first day's schedule at the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit that kicked off in Busan on December 11 was a welcome dinner held at the BEXCO convention center in Busan. The formal banquet brought together the different cultures and leaders from 11 Asian nations.




During the welcome dinner, President Park Geun-hye linked unity among ASEAN to Korea’s traditional agricultural methods used to harvest rice.

“In Korea, there’s a saying that says, ‘The process of harvesting rice, from sowing through to reaping, requires a farmer's touch 88 times,'” the president began.

“However, since a single farmer cannot do all 88 tasks, the whole community has to help out in each other’s fields, sharing the labor. This is called poomasi (품앗이). Such communal sharing of labor can be found in the close ties between Korea and ASEAN, too,” she said.

The president continued to say that, “ASEAN, which has experienced a series of changes and economic developments over the years, will become the best partner for Korea. We can share our own experiences with each other and march together toward a brighter future.”

“As Korea and ASEAN have become involved in such a poomasi relationship, always willing to offer a helping hand to each other, like old friends, I believe that we will continue to grow together based on the deep trust that we’ve built up,” she stressed.

"The official ASEAN anthem, 'The ASEAN Way,' has a line that says, 'We dare to dream, we care to share.' I hope to see such an indigenous and cooperative spirit grow between us," she added.

In addition, Park said that, “This ASEAN-ROK summit has come at a very opportune time, marking the 25-year friendship between Korea and ASEAN. I believe that this gathering will lay the groundwork for our Korea-ASEAN partnership to make a great leap forward.”

“I am sure that in generations to come, we will make a blueprint for the future of East Asia wherein Korea and ASEAN will always be together as true friends.”




In response, Myanmar President U Thein Sein said in his remarks that, “The year 2014 is a meaningful year that has set a new milestone in the relationship between Korea and ASEAN. Let’s further strengthen our strategic partnership.”

The Myanmar leader then quoted the slogan for the Korea-ASEAN summit, “Building Trust, Bringing Happiness,” as he emphasized that only when trust has been built can happiness come.

The welcome dinner for participants in the Busan summit had in the entry hall a collection of traditional Korean handicrafts, including decorative lengths of wrapping fabric, jogakbo, traditional dining tables, mother-of-pearl craftworks and wooden rice-cake pattern makers. There were artisans present, too, showing off their crafts and demonstrating how to make each of their handiworks.

Onto the 20-meter screen wall that was set up around the dinning venue, images from traditional Korean ink-and-wash paintings were vividly projected with the help of computer graphic technology.

Participating ASEAN leaders appreciated the arts while they enjoyed their dinner, consisting of some of the port city’s most famous delicacies, such as seafood savory pancakes, jagalchi fish and baked cod.



Musical performances added to the entertainment, too. Emblematic of the unity and prosperity that exists between Korea and ASEAN, the event featured a 30-piece orchestra that consisted of 20 traditional performers from the 10 ASEAN countries alongside 10 musicians from the host country. The ensemble played “One Asia,” a song that mixes national folk songs from the 11 countries. It continued to play “Love Asia,” a song that combines the three messages of, “Hello”, “I love you,” and “Thank you,” in each of the 10 official ASEAN languages.

At the end of the show, global pop star Psy appeared on stage, wrapping up the dinner with his most popular song, “Gangnam Style.”

By Sohn JiAe
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit
jiae5853@korea.kr