The Hungarian Embassy marked 25 years of diplomatic relations with Korea and the 58th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in a commemorative reception at Lotte Hotel in central Seoul on Oct. 20.

Some 150 current and former diplomats, businessmen, researchers, students, museum staff, and others attended the event.

Hungarian Ambassador to Korea Gabor Csaba, and Shin Dong-ik, Korea’s deputy minister of multilateral and global affairs, gave keynote speeches highlighting the diplomatic, economic, social and cultural exchanges that have steadily blossomed between the two countries.

“The 1956 Hungarian Revolution laid the groundwork for the country’s peaceful transition to democracy in 1989, and helped dismantle the Communist Eastern Bloc in Europe,” Csaba said.

“The memory of 1956 continues to define modern-day Hungary and our national self-identity as a democratic member state of both the European Union and NATO.”

In commemoration of the event, a forum entitled, “25 years of Diplomatic Cooperation between Hungary and Korea ― Past, Present and Potential,” was held on the same day in Budapest, Hungary.

Hungary was the first Eastern European nation to establish diplomatic ties with Korea on Feb. 1, 1989, paving the way for Korea’s “Nordpolitik” ― the signature foreign policy of South Korean President Roh Tae-woo, which involved diplomatic overtures to Communist nations. North Korea, China, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union were all engaged.

In light of the 2008 global financial crisis and new geopolitical developments in Asia, the Hungarian foreign policy has undergone some “significant reshuffling,” according to the ambassador, with a “pivot to the East.”

Csaba underscored the “rich and diverse friendship” that has bonded the two countries in cultural exchanges, scientific research and development, higher education and commercial ties. Some 50 Korean companies, spearheaded by Hankook Tire and Samsung, now operate in Hungary, with an accumulated investment over $1.3 billion and more than 25,000 created jobs. The bilateral trade volume has reached $2.6 billion in 2013, a 40-fold increase since the outset of diplomatic relations.

On Oct 18, a concert to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Korean Liszt Society was held at Youngsan Art Hall in Yeouido, Seoul. Hungarian and Korean musicians played reinterpreted compositions by Franz Liszt, Zoltan Kodaly and Bela Bartok, as well as those of Ahn Ik-tae, Choi Young-sup and Park Min-chong.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will visit Korea on Nov. 27.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)