Frances Fitzgerald T.D. Minister of Children and Youth Affairs visited Seoul, South Korea, from 12-15 March 2014 to mark St. Patrick’s Day.
During her visit the Minister:
· Explored the potential for further increases in trade and investment between Ireland and Korea through discussions with country managers and partners of Irish companies in Korea;
· Laid a wreath at the Memorial to those of Irish birth and heritage who died in the Korean War with the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of Korea, Mr Park Sung Choon;
· Attended a promotion event for Flahavan’s porridge, recently launched in the Korean market at Hyundai Department Store, accompanied by members of the Seoul Gaels GAA club;
· Met with the Korean Development Bank, which has had an office in Dublin since 1997;
· Held discussions with the Chair of the Korea Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly of Korea, Mr Park, Sang Eun;
· Engaged with members of the young and dynamic Irish community in Korea;
· Spoke on Irish policies for Children and gender balance in employment at Ewha Woman’s University;
· Attended and addressed 200 guests at the St. Patrick’s Day Reception in Seoul and
· Conducted interviews with the Korea Times and the Maeil Business Daily
Speaking in Seoul, Minister Fitzgerald said “My visit to Korea has shown me what an impressive and dynamic country this is. Trade is growing, interpersonal connections are growing and I am sure that we will be hearing a lot more about Ireland and Korea in the coming years.
“I have seen how the Irish community has contributed to Korea from the young people here now who were enthusiastic about Korea and their time here to the participation of Irish born men in the armies of the Korean War and the very significant contribution of the Columban missionaries since their arrival in 1933. The wreath laying ceremony at the War memorial of Korea was moving and Minister Park extremely welcoming and understanding of the Irish participation in the armies of Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
“I was delighted to promote Flahavan’s in Hyundai Department Store and introduce our guests to quality Irish food and drink, including The Jelly Bean Factory Jelly Beans at the St. Patrick’s Day reception.
“Young Koreans are coming to Ireland under the Working Holiday Agreement every year. These connections between our young people will drive forward a new generation of positive growth in Ireland Korea relations, including trade."
Wreath laying at the Irish memorial at the War Memorial of Korea
Last year a dedicated memorial was unveiled to those of Irish birth and heritage who died in the Korean War at the War Memorial of Korea. Minister Fitzgerald laid a wreath at the memorial. At least 140 Irish born men and 8 Irish born civilians died in the Korean War.
Speech at Ewha University ‘Getting the Balance Right – Irish perspectives on policies for women in work and child wellbeing’
Minister Fitzgerald’s visit comes at a time when Korea is discussing issues around increasing the female employment participation rate and how the State responds to changing family needs to support women who work and their children. Throughout her career Minister Fitzgerald has been at the forefront of the debate in Ireland on these issues and during her time as Minister she has put the needs of children at the heart of the debate.
Irish Community Korea
There are over 900 Irish people living in Korea and over 600 of these are teachers of English. The community is young and enthusiastic about Korea. There are also about the same numbers of Koreans living in Ireland. The Korean community in Ireland is also young with 400 travelling on a working holiday visa every year.
St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Seoul
After the Minister’s visit St. Patrick’s Day will not be over. On Saturday 15 the Irish Association have planned a fantastic day for all the family, free to attend in D-Cube Plaza in Sindorim. The Irish Association has being doing an amazing job promoting this celebration of Ireland in Korea and they are really looking forward to seeing lots of people there.
Look at the IAK website and plan your day. We highly recommend sharing their blog on St. Patricks Day in Korea. https://www.facebook.com/irishassociationofkorea
http://iak.co.kr/news/st-patricks-day-festival-2014/
Background for Editors
Trade between Ireland and Korea: As well as the Embassy the Irish trade and investment Agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland have offices in Seoul to support increased trade and investment connections between our countries.
Total trade in goods and services between Ireland and Korea was €1.3bn in 2012, growing 18.77% on 2011.
Multinational companies in Ireland account for a substantial amount of exports from Ireland to Korea. Key sectors are Medical and Pharmaceutical products, electronic machinery, optical goods and office machines.
2012 export figures for Irish owned companies from Ireland show:
· Internationally traded services (ITS) as the largest and the most rapidly growing export sector.
· Food & Seafood as the second most important sector, the main products being processed meat, seafood, dairy and alcoholic beverages. In recent weeks, Irish porridge Flahavan’s has been launched in Korea, selling in Lotte Mart and Hyundai Department Stores. Other Irish products available include Jelly Bean Factory jelly beans and Irish mackerel. Whelks (sea snails) from Ireland sell well in Korea and seaweed derived calcium supplement from Ireland can be found in many products in Korea including Chocco pies.
· Life Sciences, Engineering, Electronics and Cleantech is showing strong potential. Areas such as animal nutrition & veterinary medicine for industrial and companion animals including equine are showing good potential.
· Construction, Timber and Consumer Retail is also showing significant potential.