Korean Embassy Celebrates National Day, Armed Forces Day, Strengthens Pakistan Ties
Korean Embassy Commemorates National Day and Armed-Forces-Day, Highlights Growing Ties with Pakistan
Islamabad – 21 October 2026 (Adnan Hameed) : The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pakistan hosted a grand reception on October 21 at its premises in Islamabad to commemorate the Republic of Korea’s National Day and Armed Forces Day, highlighting the growing friendship and cooperation between Korea and Pakistan in defence, technology, culture and people-to-people exchanges.
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan Han Sungho has reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan, highlighting cooperation in trade, technology, cultural exchange and human resource development.
Addressing a reception at his residence in Islamabad to celebrate Korean Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day, the ambassador described the 43-year relationship between the two countries as a bond of mutual trust and friendship, symbolized by the Urdu word “Dosti.” He recalled Pakistan’s early support for South Korea through essential food and material assistance, pledging to reciprocate this goodwill.
Han highlighted the role of Korean organizations in promoting bilateral cooperation, including the Karachi Office and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in trade and commercial exchanges. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA), the Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) in development projects, agriculture, healthcare, food security, cultural heritage and skilled workforce mobility.
Emphasizing a coordinated approach, he said the Korean Embassy and its partner organizations were working as a “Korea One Team” to make bilateral relations more future-oriented and mutually beneficial.
The ambassador also highlighted cultural ties, noting the 580th anniversary of the promulgation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, and the centennial of Hangeul Day. He appreciated the growing interest in Korean language learning among Pakistani students, particularly at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML).
Referring to the inauguration of the Islamabad IT Park on October 9 in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Han said the project, supported by the Korean government and Korea Eximbank through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), and now renamed Daanish IT Park, would support young IT professionals, boost Pakistan’s IT exports and create new avenues for cooperation.
Concluding his address, the ambassador expressed hope that the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and South Korea would grow stronger. The reception featured Pakistani performances, Korean cuisine and a video presentation showcasing South Korea’s advanced defence industry and technology.
Federal Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has emphasised the need to strengthen Pakistan’s economic and investment cooperation with the Republic of Korea, highlighting opportunities in trade, technology, industrial development and human resource development.
Addressing a ceremony marking South Korea’s National Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day, he praised Korea’s remarkable economic transformation and expressed Pakistan’s interest in benefiting from its development experience and technological expertise.
The minister also highlighted ongoing discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), saying enhanced trade and investment cooperation could create new business opportunities for both countries. He appreciated Korea’s development assistance through KOICA and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations.
Earlier, the ceremony commenced with the national anthems of Pakistan and the Republic of Korea. The commemorative cake was subsequently cut by the Ambassador, Defence Attaché, and Chief Guest to mark the occasion.
The event brought together distinguished guests, diplomats, Pakistani government and military officials and participants from various walks of life to celebrate the longstanding ties between the two countries. It also showcased South Korea’s advanced defence industry and technological capabilities while offering guests an opportunity to experience Korean culture through K-pop performances, traditional Korean fan dance, Taekwondo demonstrations, authentic Korean cuisine and K-Beauty souvenirs.
A distinctive feature of this year’s celebration was the active participation of Pakistanis, including young K-pop performers, university students, national Taekwondo athletes and local entrepreneurs. Their involvement reflected the growing popularity of Korean culture in Pakistan and the important role of people-to-people engagement in strengthening bilateral relations.
Korean Defence Industry and Technology in Focus:
The reception highlighted the technological advancement and industrial capabilities of South Korea’s defence sector, which has continued to strengthen its position in the global market through innovation, advanced manufacturing and technological development.
The showcase provided an opportunity for Pakistani government and military officials and other distinguished guests to learn more about the capabilities of the Korean defence industry and explore the potential for broader cooperation between the two countries.
The initiative underscored the importance of mutual understanding and engagement in the defence sector as Korea and Pakistan continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship.
Pakistani Youth Showcase Korean Popular Culture:
K-pop was among the highlights of the celebration, with performances by winners of the 2025 K-pop Festival organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pakistan.
The performers entertained guests with routines inspired by Stray Kids’ CHK CHK BOOM and BTS’ MIC Drop, alongside a performance featuring music by LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT and KATSEYE.
The performances showcased the talent and enthusiasm of young Pakistanis who have embraced Korean music and choreography, reflecting the expanding reach of the Korean Wave, widely known as Hallyu, in Pakistan.
By providing a platform for Pakistani performers to present Korean popular culture, the event demonstrated how cultural interests can develop into meaningful connections between people of different backgrounds.
NUML Students Present Traditional Korean Fan Dance:
The cultural programme also featured a traditional Korean fan dance performed by Hanullim, a group of students from the National University of Modern Languages (NUML).
Established in April 2025 through a cultural class under the Seed Program for Korean Studies of the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS), Hanullim has been learning and performing traditional Korean fan dance under the guidance of Korean instructors Yoon Buyeon and Jang Eunsook, a senior instructor at NUML.
The group comprises students from NUML’s Department of Korean Language and Culture, students studying Korean through the Department of Translation and Interpretation, and learners from the Islamabad King Sejong Institute.
NUML plays an important role in promoting Korean language and cultural education in Pakistan. The participation of its students highlighted how interest in Korean culture has expanded beyond contemporary entertainment to encompass traditional art forms and cultural heritage.
The performance illustrated the contribution of educational institutions and cultural programmes to fostering mutual understanding and strengthening connections between Korean and Pakistani communities.
Pakistan’s National Taekwondo Athletes Demonstrate Korean Martial Art:
Another major attraction was a Taekwondo demonstration by athletes from Pakistan’s Taekwondo Poomsae National Team, highlighting the sporting and cultural connections between the two countries.
Master Choi Sung-oh, a Taekwondo instructor dispatched to Pakistan by Kukkiwon, the World Taekwondo Headquarters, serves as head coach of Pakistan’s national poomsae team.
The team competes in recognised and freestyle poomsae events and has achieved notable results at international competitions. Pakistani athletes most recently won silver and bronze medals at the 2026 Gangwon-Chuncheon World Taekwondo Demonstration & Breaking Championships.
The participating athletes included Naila, the first Pakistani female athlete to compete in the Taekwondo poomsae event at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where she advanced to the quarterfinals.
The team also included Zena Sheraz and Ameer Hamza, who represented Pakistan at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, along with Usman Sial, an international-level athlete and captain of the demonstration team, and Muhammad Sarmad Waheed, a member of the national poomsae team with international competition experience.
The demonstration underscored Taekwondo’s role in strengthening sporting exchanges and people-to-people relations between Korea and Pakistan, demonstrating how a Korean martial art has become an avenue for Pakistani athletes to develop their skills and represent their country internationally.
Korean Cuisine Offers a Taste of Korea:
Guests also had the opportunity to experience authentic Korean cuisine prepared by a Korean chef from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
The reception featured Bok Dak Bok, a locally based Korean food station operated by Pakistanis, which presented Korean dishes to attendees.
The participation of the Pakistani-operated business highlighted the growing interest in Korean cuisine in Pakistan and the contribution of local entrepreneurs to introducing Korean culinary traditions to Pakistani consumers.
Together, the Embassy’s Korean chef and Bok Dak Bok demonstrated how food can serve as a bridge between cultures, bringing people closer through shared culinary experiences and creating opportunities for local businesses to promote international cuisines.
K-Beauty Adds a Contemporary Touch :
As part of the celebrations, guests received Korean beauty, or K-Beauty, sheet masks as souvenirs, introducing them to another popular aspect of contemporary Korean culture.
Alongside K-pop, traditional dance, Taekwondo and Korean cuisine, the souvenirs showcased the diversity of Korea’s cultural presence and the growing international appeal of its beauty and lifestyle products.
The inclusion of K-Beauty reflected how Korean cultural influence extends beyond music and entertainment into everyday consumer experiences.
People-to-People Connections at the Heart of Korea-Pakistan Friendship:
The reception highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges in strengthening relations between Korea and Pakistan, with Pakistani performers, university students, athletes and entrepreneurs playing an active role in the celebrations.
From young Pakistanis performing K-pop choreography and university students presenting traditional Korean dance to national athletes demonstrating Taekwondo and local entrepreneurs introducing Korean cuisine, the event illustrated how cultural engagement has become an important dimension of bilateral friendship.
Korean culture has gained increasing visibility in Pakistan through music, entertainment, cuisine, martial arts, beauty products and educational initiatives. This growing interest has created opportunities for cultural learning, collaboration and a deeper appreciation of each country’s traditions.
By bringing together a showcase of defence technology and a diverse cultural programme, the Embassy’s celebration highlighted the breadth of Korea-Pakistan engagement and the potential to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors.
The event also demonstrated that bilateral friendship is built not only through official and institutional engagement but also through the participation of ordinary citizens, young people, students, athletes and business communities.
The celebration of Korea’s National Day and Armed Forces Day thus served as an opportunity to recognise the longstanding friendship between the two countries and reaffirm the importance of mutual understanding, cultural exchange and cooperation in further strengthening ties between the peoples of Korea and Pakistan.
