By Honorary Reporter Ramona Stefania Tulug from Romania

Photos = Korean Embassy in Bucharest

Ambassador to Romania Hur Seung-chul (from left), Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana-Silvia Toiu and Romanian Senate President Mircea Abrudean on Oct. 6 pose for a group photo at a National Foundation Day of Korea celebration at the Bucharest National Opera House in Bucharest, Romania.

The Korean Embassy in Romania on Oct. 6 hosted an event marking Korea's National Foundation Day at the Bucharest National Opera House in the Romanian capital, the first reception of its kind since Ambassador Hur Seung-chul took office.

The guest list included Romanian Senate President Mircea Abrudean and Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana-Silvia Toiu. 

In a speech, Ambassador Hur highlighted the growing momentum in bilateral relations, mentioning high-level exchanges and tangible progress in the defense industry and nuclear energy cooperation. 

He also urged closer collaboration in areas such as transportation infrastructure, information and communications technology, and agriculture as well as cultural ties and people-to-people exchanges to strengthen the strategic partnership.

Afterward, Jung Jong-soo, a student of the renowned Romanian pan flute virtuoso Gheorghe Zamfir, performed music from both countries including the iconic Korean folk song "Arirang" and the traditional Romanian tune "Ciocarlia."

Jong Soo Jung on Oct. 6 performs traditional Korean and Romanian melodies at a National Foundation Day reception at the Bucharest National Opera House in Bucharest, Romania.

For the first time, the reception featured a selection of traditional Korean wines and Hansik (traditional Korean cuisine) such as gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), bulgogi (marinated stir-fried meat), japchae (stir-fried glass noodles), jeon (fried pancakes) and tteokgalbi (grilled short-rib meat patties), alongside creative fusion food like arancini featuring bibimbap, or Korean rice mixed with gochujang (spicy red pepper paste), meat and vegetables.

Guests on Oct. 6 try Hansik (traditional cuisine) at a National Foundation Day event at the Bucharest National Opera House in Bucharest, Romania.

The reception also featured displays by leading Korean companies like Hanwha Aerospace, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, highlighting Korea's technological innovation and the role of Korean business in boosting bilateral economic cooperation.

ljyhwa@korea.kr

*This article was written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.