Islamabad (GNP): President Asif Ali Zardari has sent congratulations to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, along with the government and people of the Republic of Korea, on the occasion of National Liberation Day.
In his message, the President noted that Pakistan places great value on its friendly ties with South Korea, observing that the relationship has continued to strengthen over the decades through mutual trust, close cooperation, and constructive engagement at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
President Zardari expressed confidence that the two countries would continue expanding cooperation in areas of shared interest, including political ties, trade, investment, and cultural exchange, and said he looks forward to working with South Korea’s leadership to further build the partnership for the benefit of both nations.
Both local residents and visitors can mark the occasion through a range of cultural and artistic events held across the city. A commemorative bell-ringing ceremony featuring nine descendants of independence movement figures is scheduled at Bosingak Pavilion in Jongno-gu District. Throughout the month, an evening bell-ringing ceremony is held every Saturday except August 15, alongside performances of “Bosingak Moonlight Busking” and workshops for making traditional Hanji paper lanterns.
A guided tour tracing the history of Seoul’s independence movement will also take place. On August 15, the tour departs at 9:30 a.m. from Tapgol Park — the site where the March First Independence Movement began in 1919 — accompanied by a professional guide, with participants later viewing the bell-ringing ceremony at the pavilion. The tour will be led alongside the city’s mascots, Haechi and Soul Friends.
Additional events celebrating liberation and peace through music are also planned. On August 14, the “National Liberation Day Unhyeongung Hanok Concert,” which blends traditional performance with electronic music, will take place at Unhyeongung Royal Residence. Two days later, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (Choral) at the Grand Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
