President Yoon Suk Yeol (left) on July 12 shakes hands with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto at their bilateral summit held on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. (Kim Yong Wii from Office of the President)

By Park Hye Ri

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Aug. 24 exchanged letters with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto to commemorate the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs that day quoted President Yoon as saying in the letter, "I extend warm greetings of friendship to Finland's president and people," adding, "Both countries, which share universal values, have developed cooperative ties in a range of sectors such as politics, economy and culture since forming relations."

"I hope that bilateral cooperation progresses to a more substantial and mature stage," he added. "I hope the people of both countries gain more opportunities for mutual understanding through cultural exchange events commemorating the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations."

In response, President Niinisto said the two sides have built outstanding ties over a long time since the launch of diplomatic ties, adding that he hopes to further boost his country's friendly and cooperative bond with Korea in bilateral and multilateral sectors.

hrhr@korea.kr