The Colombian Embassy here celebrated the country’s 203rd Independence Day with a throng of revelers, including Korean VIPs and foreign envoys, during a reception at a Seoul hotel on July 17.

Colombia gained its independence from Spain on July 20, 1810.

The dinner reception was enjoyed by hundreds of high-profile guests and Colombian expatriates living and working in Korea, and featured traditional cuisine and a musical performance.

The celebration marked South America’s increasingly prominent profile in South Korea. Colombia’s importance here reached a new high in June last year when the two nations finally inked a free trade agreement. The FTA with Colombia represents South Korea’s 10th, and its third in South America, after similar agreements with Chile and Peru.

Colombia has a special relationship with South Korea because it is the only Latin American country that supported Seoul against North Korea during the Korean War. Some 4,300 Colombian soldiers and the country’s only battle frigate were deployed to the Korean Peninsula in 1951.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice Agreement that ended three years of major fighting on the peninsula.

Colombian Ambassador to Korea Jaime Alberto Cabal underscored the burgeoning diplomatic relationship between his country and Korea.

“We should recall another event that took place around this same date only 60 years ago while searching for the peace and freedom of the Korean people ― the signing of the Armistice Agreement which, on July 27, 1953, suspended indefinitely the Korean War,” Cabal said in welcome remarks during the reception.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)