Lighting Ceremonies Held at Seoul Tower and Tokyo Tower for 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
Various Commemorative Events Planned
On the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, the landmarks of both countries, Namsan Seoul Tower and Tokyo Tower, were lit up together on the 15th.
On the 15th, blue and red lights symbolizing the flags of Korea and Japan alternately illuminated Namsan Seoul Tower in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
On the evening of the day, the diplomatic authorities of Korea and Japan held lighting ceremonies at Seoul Tower and Tokyo Tower respectively to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The event symbolized reflecting on the footsteps of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and moving forward together toward a new future.
Around 6:30 PM, the upper part of Seoul Tower was lit with intersecting colors of red and blue, representing the flags of Korea and Japan, and the official 60th anniversary logo image was projected on the lower part.
Kim Hong-kyun, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who attended the Seoul Tower lighting event, said, "Seeing the light symbolizing the 60th anniversary brightly illuminating the center of Seoul, I hope this becomes a time to join hands and envision a better future together for Korea and Japan."
Koichi Mizushima, Ambassador of Japan to Korea, said, "The relationship between the two countries, which took a big step 60 years ago, has achieved deep development in various fields despite many difficulties," adding, "We intend to continue lighting the lamp of friendship and trust between Korea and Japan."
The event was also attended by figures symbolizing friendship between the two countries, including Shin Yoon-chan, Honorary Chairman of the LSH Asia Scholarship Foundation and mother of Lee Soo-hyun, a hero who lost his life trying to save a Japanese person who fell onto the tracks in 2001.
On the 15th, at Tokyo Tower in Minato Ward, Tokyo, the words "JAPAN KOREA," representing Japan and Korea in English, were illuminated to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and Korea. Photo by Yonhap News.
At Tokyo Tower, the English phrase "JAPAN KOREA," representing Japan and Korea, was brightly illuminated. Colors from both countries' flags, including white, red, and blue, were also lit.
At the Tokyo Tower lighting ceremony hosted by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the theme "The Korea-Japan Exchange We Illuminate," Park Cheol-hee, Korean Ambassador to Japan, said, "This year should be a year to look back on the past 60 years of history, build a Korea-Japan relationship that does not waver or regress, and present a hopeful blueprint for future generations of both countries."
Takehiro Funakoshi, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, said, "Since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1965, broad exchanges and cooperation have been achieved through the efforts of many people," adding that the mutual understanding and valuing of each other's society and culture by the people of both countries have supported the Korea-Japan relationship.
Korea and Japan plan to hold various events this year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization. The slogan has been set as "Joining Hands for a Better Future." The Korean Embassy in Japan stated that this lighting ceremony was effectively the first joint event held in the capitals of both countries.
Seoul Tower, completed in 1975, is the country's first comprehensive broadcasting tower, with a tower height of 236.7 meters and a total elevation of 479.7 meters including the altitude of Namsan Mountain.
Tokyo Tower, located in Minato Ward, Tokyo, is a 333-meter-high broadcasting tower built in 1958, known to be modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris. During the upper observation deck expansion, scrap metal from abandoned tanks used in the Korean War was utilized as material.
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