site.btaAmbassador Draganov Receives President of South Korea's Gwanghwa Medal for Diplomatic Service

The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bulgaria Dong-bae Kim awarded the Bulgarian Ambassador to South Korea Petko Draganov with the Gwanghwa Medal first grade, the highest award of the President of the Republic of Korea, for special merits for the diplomatic service and the development of bilateral relations. The ceremony took place at the residence of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Sofia on Thursday, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said in a press release on Friday.

The recognition is on the occasion of the end of Draganov's term as Ambassador of Bulgaria to South Korea between 2019 and 2023 and in confirmation of the traditional relations of friendship and mutual respect between the two countries. In his speech, Dong-bae Kim thanked Draganov for his contribution to the development and strengthening of political dialogue and bilateral contacts through the establishment of new partnerships between business circles and the expansion of cooperation in the fields of culture and education.

The Republic of Korea is an important partner of Bulgaria in the region of Northeast Asia. Bilateral relations are a priority and are based on shared values and similar positions and interests. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and South Korea.