Russian Ambassador to Korea Konstantin Vnukov and National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa celebrated Russia’s National Day, along with dozens of foreign envoys, including many European ambassadors, as well as high-level Korean diplomats, at its chancery in the historic Jeong-dong district of Seoul on Wednesday.

They gathered on a drizzly evening to celebrate the 24th National Day of the Russian Federation, enjoying a well-catered buffet that included traditional delicacies and toasting with Russian vodka.

German Ambassador Rolf Mafael and British Ambassador Scott Wightman attended Wednesday’s reception.

Park Jin, former National Assembly representative from the Saenuri Party, who also served as chairman of the foreign affairs committee, and Jasmine Lee, National Assembly representative, also attended the reception.

Vnukov has been his country’s top diplomat here for five years. He delivered opening remarks under a sprawling tent in the garden of the embassy.

Russia has raised its international profile by hosting numerous global events recently, including the 2014 Winter Olympic Games at the resort city of Sochi.

Russia’s Republic of Tartarstan hosted nearly 14,000 university athletes from around the world in the 27th Summer Universiade in the city of Kazan in July 2013, and then St. Petersburg hosted the G20 Summit in September. The Siberian port city of Vladivostok hosted the 2012 APEC Summit, which also raised the economic profile of the largest city in the country’s Far East.

(ephilip2014@heraldcorp.com)