A Belarusian diplomat in Korea has been recognized for boosting cooperation between Minsk and Seoul.

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon voiced his appreciation to first secretary Dmitry Sudas at the embassy of Belarus in Korea on Friday

Kim Jin-man, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s International Cooperation Division congratulated Sudas on his hard work to strengthen ties between the countries, and Sudas added: “Minsk and Seoul now call each other sister cities and this would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Department of International Cooperation at the Seoul Metropolitan government.”

He said ties between Minsk and Seoul have increased since the Mayor of Minsk City first visited the Korean capital in 2008.

Both diplomatic and cultural bonds have been forged with Sudas’ help.

The Korean president enjoyed Belarusian kimchi served up at the Hi Seoul Festival and Belarusian folk ensembles such as children’s folk group Dudariki have been covered by Korean TV and radio after performing there.

Business contacts have also contributed to bilateral cooperation, with Minsk officials participating in World e-Governments Organization training courses, in Seoul and studying introduction of an Intelligent Transportation System in the Belarusian capital with Korea’s help.

The Embassy of Belarus in Seoul will celebrate the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties with Korea this Feb. 10.