"'Squid Game' Guards Celebrate Too... 'Greeting Man' Statue Honoring Korean Fishermen Stands Tall in Las Palmas"

Unveiling Ceremony Marks 75 Years of Korea-Spain Diplomatic Relations
Honoring 117 Korean Sailors Who Passed Away Far from Home

A 6-meter-tall, 2-ton sky-blue aluminum statue was unveiled at Santa Catalina Pier in La Luz Port, the central city of Las Palmas in the Spanish Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of Africa. On October 15, Yonhap News reported that the "Greeting Man," a sculpture created by artist Yoo Young-ho and installed in various locations around the world since 2012, has been set up in Europe for the first time to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain. The Greeting Man, facing the sea and bowing respectfully, is a work that conveys messages of gratitude and peace through the act of greeting.

At La Luz Port in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain, a statue called "Greeting Man" honoring the hard work of Korean fishermen was unveiled to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain. Meanwhile, Hallyu fans dressed in "Squid Game" costumes are taking commemorative photos. Spanish Embassy in Korea, Las Palmas Branch Office

La Luz Port, where the unveiling ceremony was held, is where the history of Korea's Atlantic deep-sea fishing industry began, when the "Ganghwa 601," a vessel belonging to the Korea Fisheries Development Corporation, docked on May 13, 1966. Despite harsh and challenging working conditions at the time, the crew endured in silence and dedicated themselves to the economic development of their homeland. From 1966 to 1987, remittances sent back to Korea amounted to 870 million US dollars. At its peak in the 1970s, 210 Korean fishing vessels and about 10,000 Koreans worked out of Las Palmas. Some of them settled in the area, forming today's Korean community of around 700 people.

This newly installed sculpture carries a particularly special meaning. Lim Soosuk, Korean Ambassador to Spain, stated, "This is a meaningful work commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain this year, and the 60th anniversary next year of Korean settlement in the Canary Islands." The unveiling ceremony was attended by representatives from the Spanish government, the Canary Islands regional government, and about ten local media outlets. King Felipe VI of Spain also sent a congratulatory letter. Camilo Villario, Chief of Royal Protocol, conveyed on behalf of the King, "His Majesty thanks you for the invitation and hopes the event will be held successfully."

The Spanish Embassy Las Palmas Consulate held an unveiling ceremony for the 'Greeting Man' commemorative statue on the 14th (local time) at La Luz Port in Las Palmas to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain. Spanish Embassy Las Palmas Consulate

In addition, local Hallyu fans in Spain attended the unveiling ceremony, performing in "Squid Game" character costumes. Ambassador Lim Soosuk said in his congratulatory address, "Las Palmas is a symbol of the friendly relationship between Korea and Spain," and expressed hope that "the seeds of friendship that have blossomed in the Canary Islands will grow into an even grander and more beautiful tree."

Artist Yoo Young-ho and representatives of the Korean community visited the Las Palmas sailors' cemetery to pay tribute to the Korean sailors buried there. A total of 117 individuals never returned to their homeland and ended their lives here. Meanwhile, the "Greeting Man" has been installed in seven countries overseas, including Uruguay (since 2012), Brazil, Mexico, the United States, and Vietnam. In Korea, it can be viewed in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province; Yanggu, Gangwon Province; and Seogwipo, Jeju Island.