Hungary marked the 30th anniversary of Hungarian-South Korean diplomatic ties and paid tribute to the victims of this spring’s ship disaster in Budapest on Saturday.
On May 29, a Viking cruise ship collided with a sightseeing boat carrying 33 South Korean tourists and a crew of two Hungarians. Seven tourists were rescued from the water following the collision but the rest unfortunately died.
During the ceremony held at Heroes’ Square, Choe Kyoo-Sik, South Korea’s ambassador to Hungary, thanked the efforts of all those who participated in the rescue operation and a search for the victims after the ship disaster, expressing hope that the body of the only victim still missing would be recovered.
Kyoo-Sik also gave a nod to the 30 years of successful diplomatic ties between the two countries. He said bilateral relations had rapidly developed over the past ten years and South Korean companies are among the leading foreign investors in Hungary, adding that a direct flight between Budapest and Seoul would further boost relations.
Photo credit: The Culture Trip