1. A ceremony was held in the Korean Garden of Nu Guazu Park, Paraguay, on December 16 for the government of the Republic of Korea to present the Bell of the ROK-Paraguay Friendship, a smaller replica of the Bell of King Seongdeok, one of the ROK’s important cultural properties, as a token of congratulation on the 200th anniversary of the country’s independence.

* The Korean Garden, a section in the largest outdoor park for Asuncion citizens that features an octagonal pavilion, stone lanterns and statues built in traditional Korean style, serves as a symbol of the friendship between the ROK and Paraguay.

2. The event brought together some 200 people, including Paraguay’s Vice President Franco, Deputy Foreign Minister Lebron, Chairman of the Commission in charge of commemorating the 200th anniversary of independence Morselli, ROK Ambassador to the country Park Dong-won and heads of Korean communities in the country. At the ceremony, Vice President Franco extended deep gratitude to the government and the people of the ROK for the Bell, attaching great significance to the replica as a symbol of long-lasting close cooperative relations between the two countries.

3. The Bell was set up by the governments of the ROK and Paraguay in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Paraguay’s independence and the 50th diplomatic anniversary between the two countries. As such, the replica is expected to become a major tourist attraction as well as a symbol of the bilateral friendship that also helps the peoples of the two countries better understand each other’s culture and history.

                              Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation