The Korea Herald

피터빈트

Polish president cancels Seoul trip

By Lee Jung-joo

Published : Aug. 8, 2023 - 13:48

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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (left) and Polish President Andrzej Duda share a conversation before the Korea-Poland business forum in Warsaw, Poland, July 14. (Yonhap) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (left) and Polish President Andrzej Duda share a conversation before the Korea-Poland business forum in Warsaw, Poland, July 14. (Yonhap)

Polish President Andrzej Duda, who was due to arrive in South Korea on Wednesday, has canceled his trip over safety concerns as a strong typhoon is set to hit the peninsula, the Polish ambassador told The Korea Herald on Tuesday.

Duda was planning to visit Korea for a four-day trip that would include an official scheduled visit to the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree in Buan, North Jeolla Province, and a visit to Gwangju. The Polish leader was expected to see how the Jamboree was being hosted in the country, according to local reports. Poland is set to hold the next World Scout Jamboree in Gdansk in 2027.

Polish Ambassador to Korea Piotr Ostaszewski, however, denied reports that Duda was canceling the trip because of the Jamboree, noting the reason was due to safety concerns over the approaching typhoon. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo also stated that President Duda was canceling the trip, making the judgment that it wouldn't be safe for him to visit Korea.

"There is nothing wrong with South Korea's relationship with Poland and the two countries' relationship has gotten very close recently."