PM Xavier Bettel at the Memorial Hall at the Memorial to the Korean Wall;
Credit: © SIP / Emmanuel Claude, tous droits réservé
On the first day of Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, three-day visit to South Korea, he visited the Memorial to the Korean War near Seoul.
Prime Minister Bettel travelled to South Korea is accompanied by a delegation of representatives from industry, finance and ICT and logistics. The goal of this multi-sectoral trade mission is to promote economic and trade relations between the two countries, the Korean market representing considerable opportunities for Luxembourg companies.
On the first day of the working visit, PM Bettel went to the national cemetery in Seoul to lay a wreath at the foot of the Remembrance Tower to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers in defence of their homeland.
PM Bettel then visited the Korea War Memorial in Seoul. The building was erected in memory of, and to honour, the fighters and victims of the Korean War, which saw South Korea fighting against North Korea between 1950 and 1953. Luxembourg was among the 16 countries that sent volunteers under the command of the United Nations to repel the North Korean army. A total of 89 Luxemburg volunteers fought alongside the armed forces of the Republic of Korea: two died during the fighting and 16 were wounded. This was the only Luxembourgish military intervention after 1945 during which Luxembourg sent soldiers to the front.
Prime Minister Bettel notably visited the Luxembourg diorama in the United Nations Hall, which pays tribute to the allied nations that helped the Republic of Korea during the conflict; he laid a wreath in tribute to the victims of the war.
"Luxembourg and South Korea met at a painful moment in history," said Xavier Bettel during the memorial visit. "Young Luxembourgers fought here for peace and freedom and in a spirit of solidarity to free a friendly country and two young Luxembourgish people died in these battles". He added "It creates deep bonds that go beyond friendship."
In the evening, Prime Minister Bettel was the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by the Luxembourg Honorary Consul in Seoul, Young-Chul Hong, in the presence of Luxembourgish and Korean economic actors.
On Monday 2 July 2018, the Prime Minister will meet with his Korean counterpart, Lee Nak-yeon, for a meeting and will visit the Seoul Startup Hub.
