The Moroccan Embassy commemorated the 16th anniversary of the enthronement of its monarch ― King Mohammed VI ― with a reception at Lotte Hotel on Thursday.

“With pride, Moroccan citizens today commemorate an important anniversary and longstanding tradition of allegiance between our king and people,” said Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Chraibi in a speech.

“Morocco’s constitutional, parliamentary and democratic monarch has always been the flagpole of our nation-building and progress for more than 12 centuries now. At the helm of this institution is a young and ambitious king who made the bold decision since 1999 to place humanity at the center of his policies.”

The ambassador noted that the constitution adopted in 2011 through a national referendum has added to the political stability of his country. The king’s actions are not exclusive to the development of Morocco, but the whole of Africa, he stressed.

Morocco and Korea established diplomatic ties in 1962, and the bilateral relations have progressed across politics, diplomacy, commerce and culture, according to Chraibi. The two countries collaborate in energy, infrastructure, information communications technology, science and innovation research, sustainable development and water management.

Six Joint Commission sessions have been held so far and an Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group was formed, with former Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won visiting Morocco last November. Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane visited Korea in April to take part in the 7th World Water Forum in Daegue and North Gyeongsang Province.

“I had a personal privilege to serve as Korean ambassador in Rabat until recently. Morocco is like my second home, a precious land filled with the warmth of people and unforgettable memories,” said Lee Tae-ho, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs.

“Both countries share our invincible spirit of resilience that overcame challenges from outside, and the determination to construct a nation that upholds universal values of democracy and market economy.”

Lee highlighted that Korean city Suwon and Moroccan city Fes established a sister partnership in 2003, followed by Busan and Casablanca in 2011. More than 20,000 Koreans traveled to Morocco last year, where hallyu has become extremely popular.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)