[내외일보naewoeilbo]이수한 기자 Lee Su Han]The Diplomatic Corps in the Republic of Korea held its 1 st  Annual Gathering of the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions (HDMs) in Lotte Hotel on 2 nd  May 2019. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Ms. Kang Kyung-wha was present there as the “Guest of Honor” in the reception including officials from the ministry of Foreign affairs. 

The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Korea, His Excellency Mohamed Al Harthy
ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman, during his welcome remarks at the event,  he welcomed the honorable Foreign Minister, on behalf of the diplomatic corps, and extended the thanks and appreciation to MOFA and Korean government for all the support and cooperation to the diplomatic corps. He also reaffirmed the support of the diplomatic corps to the initiatives and continuous efforts of the Korean Government and collective efforts from concerning countries and international community toward building lasting peace in the Korean peninsula. He also emphasized on the importance of public diplomacy and enhancing the relation and cooperation with the Korean Government.
 
The Honorable Foreign Minister also deeply appreciated the initiatives of the Diplomatic Corps in arranging such an event and thanked the diplomatic corps support on the ongoing efforts and dialogue toward building peace in the Korean peninsula. 

Immediately before the reception, the head of missions of the Diplomatic Corps, gathered and discussed issues of common concerns related to protocol, enhancing the relation and cooperation with the Republic of Korea and public diplomacy. The dean of the diplomatic corps introduced the newly arrived Ambassadors and bid farewell to the departing ones by presenting them with appreciation plaques on behalf of the diplomatic corps. 85 Heads of Missions in Seoul attended the event including the members of the diplomatic corps council Ambassador Ramzi Teymurov from Azerbaijan, Ambassadors Abida Islam from Bangladesh and Ambassador Bruno from Mexico.