The British Embassy in Korea commemorated 130 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and the United Kingdom during celebrations for the Queen’s Official Birthday, which celebrates Britain’s reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II, at the ambassador’s residence in downtown Seoul on Thursday.

More than 500 guests from business, politics and the media gathered to network and honor the Korea-U.K. partnership at this year’s event, the embassy said in a press statement.

“Today, as we honor the Queen and her remarkable service to the United Kingdom and the people of the Commonwealth, we also celebrate the close friendship between the U.K. and Korea,” said British Ambassador to Korea Scott Wightman.

The event included a photo exhibition illustrating key moments in the history of U.K.-Korea ties and showcased British cuisine. Guests watched video clips promoting a marketing campaign by the embassy for British creativity and innovation and sampled leading British lifestyle products.

The Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Sung-choon delivered the official welcome speech at the event and former National Assembly representative Park Jin who chaired the legislature’s foreign relations committee also attended.

Diplomatic relations between Korea and the U.K. were established in 1883 with a treaty signed by British diplomat Sir Harry Parkes and Min Yong-mok at Gyeongbok Palace.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)