The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Dhaka celebrated the National Foundation Day of Korea 2025 on Thursday (13 November 2025). The event highlighted Korea’s ancient heritage and the growing partnership between Korea and Bangladesh.
Dr. Asif Nazrul, Hon’ble Advisor to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest.
In his speech, Dr. Asif Nazrul expressed his admiration for Korean culture, films, and innovation, sharing that Korean music, movies and skincare products are deeply appreciated in his own family—reflecting a personal bond with Korea. Extending warm congratulations on Korea’s National Foundation Day, he said that since establishing diplomatic ties in 1973, the friendship between the two countries has flourished based on mutual respect and shared aspirations for peace and development. He acknowledged Korea’s essential contribution to Bangladesh’s economic growth, particularly through the Korean Export Processing Zone in Chattogram and significant investments in electronics, infrastructure, energy, and ICT.
Focusing on migrant worker cooperation, the Chief Guest appreciated Korea’s Seasonal Worker Program and presented several proposals under the Employment Permit System (EPS). These include: expanding recruitment into agriculture and livestock sectors, launching pilot programs in caregiving and service sectors, allowing experienced workers to continue employment for up to 10–12 years, extending EPS profile validity from two to five years, and replacing the random 1:3 ratio with systematic job-centre submissions to ensure fairness. To enhance transparency and worker welfare, he proposed introducing a joint digital monitoring system to track employment status, welfare and rights of Bangladeshi workers in Korea.
Addressing the gathering, Korean Ambassador Park Young-sik highlighted the 4,357-year historical significance of Gaecheonjeol, Korea’s National Foundation Day, which symbolizes unity and national spirit. He stated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, cooperation between Korea and Bangladesh has expanded across multiple sectors over the past five decades. He recalled how early collaboration between Daesung Government and DAE Corporation in 1979 helped lay the foundation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry, which today accounts for more than 85% of the country’s exports. Korea is now the fourth-largest foreign investor in Bangladesh with growing investments in automobiles, mobile phones, electronics, and manufacturing.
Ambassador Park further noted that the ongoing negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are expected to significantly boost bilateral trade and investment once concluded. He reaffirmed Korea’s intention to remain a reliable partner in Bangladesh’s sustainable infrastructure development, just as it has supported the growth of the RMG sector. He also highlighted Korea’s development cooperation (ODA) in sectors such as education, health, water and sanitation, public administration, and transportation, emphasizing KOICA’s ongoing support in modernizing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Bangladesh.
Discussing labor cooperation, the Ambassador said that more than 30,000 Bangladeshi workers have travelled to Korea under the EPS since 2008, adding that improving Korean language skills will enhance their competitiveness and access to better opportunities. He also mentioned Korea’s continued humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya community, including financial aid and large-scale food support—most recently over 20,000 tons of rice, enough to feed around one million people for nearly two months.
Ambassador Park highlighted the rising popularity of Korean culture—K-dramas, films, K-pop, food, and beauty products—in Bangladesh, stating that the Hallyu Korean Wave is strengthening people-to-people ties and deepening mutual understanding. The event featured cultural performances including Taekwondo and a Bangladeshi K-pop dance team, which drew enthusiastic appreciation from the audience.
The celebration was attended by diplomats, business leaders, government officials and distinguished guests from various sectors.
