"In the golden age of Asia, Korea was one of its lamp bearers, And that lamp is waiting to be lighted once again!" ❤️

Korean Foundation Day Celebrations

22nd September 2025 | 6.45 pm

The Leela Palace, Chennai

This evening at 6.45, our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson and myself – we were part of the Korea Foundation Day Celebrations at The Leela Palace, Chennai.

A host of other dignitaries including Mr. Venu Srinivasan, the Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Company, Mr. Kalanidhi Veerasamy, Member of Parliament, Senior IAS officers, Ms. Mallika Srinivasan, the Prince of Arcot, among others, were part of the celebrations.

The Korean Consul General welcomed the gathering. This was followed by the playing of the National Anthem of both the countries.

Speaking on the occasion, the Korean Consul General Mr. Chang-nyun Kim said –

It’s been two years since I arrived in India, and I’ve been able to see the way in which both our nations – India and South Korea – two of the world’s leading markets - are expanding on our bilateral ties as strategic partners for mutual prosperity. Be it our collaborations in semi-conductors, batteries, or body building, we have been able to progress together with great success.

In June 2025, at the G7 summit held in Kananaskis, Canada, the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, held a bilateral meeting. It was President Lee Jae-myung’s first foreign trip after assuming office. The two leaders discussed a range of issues aimed at strengthening the “Special Strategic Partnership” between our two countries.

Areas of cooperation included - Trade and Commerce, Technology, Energy, Shipbuilding, Defence, People-to-people exchanges, etc.

During the meeting, the Indian Prime Minister Modi also reiterated his invitation for President Lee to visit India. In deference to the invitation of the Indian Prime Minister, the Korean President is expected to visit India early next year.

The legendary story of Princess Suriratna of Ayuta, also known as Queen Heo Hwang-ok, is chronicled in the 13th-century Korean historical text, Samguk Yusa.

In 48 CE, Princess Suriratna, who was 16 years old, embarked on a sea journey with her entourage. Upon her arrival in Gaya, King Suro was waiting for her, as he had also been divinely informed of her coming. He married the princess and gave her the new name Queen Heo Hwang-ok.

The royal couple had ten sons. The legend states that Queen Heo requested King Suro to allow two of their sons to bear her maiden surname, Heo. The descendants of Queen Heo and King Suro form a significant portion of the Korean population, with almost seven million of Koreans tracing their lineage back to them.

Today, interestingly, we see a new wave of connection between South Korea and India – through K Drama, K pop, K Culture, K Language, etc. For this I am truly thankful,

he signed off.

Mr. Venu Srinivasan, of TVS Motors, then said that –

Both of us – India and Korea have gone through the colonial rule. Korea is a great country of inspiration. The reason is, Korea was once a very poor, feudal nation with agricultural economy, unlike other industrially advanced countries.

However, from the 1960s, they built the highest levels of technology.

In 1929, Rabindranath Tagore wrote a famous poem where he observes that, Korea will rise to be the ‘Lamp of the East’.

In the golden age of Asia,

Korea was one of its lamp bearers,

And that lamp is waiting

To be lighted once again

For the illumination of the East.

In fact, this poem was a message of hope to Koreans suffering under Japanese rule, foretelling Korea’s future resurgence and illumination of the East. The poem is a revered text in South Korea, where it is included in school textbooks and celebrated for linking Korea's historical legacy to its future as a prominent nation,

he said.

This was followed by a fusion music. As a prelude to the musical performance, the MC had this to say -

In ancient Korea, people placed their wishes in songs – prayers for a bountiful harvest, melodies of love and strength to endure challenges.

Manpasikjeok became the music of life, a resonance that united hearts as one.

It is a legendary flute from the Silla period of Korean history. The name literally translates to “Flute That Soothes Ten Thousand Troubles.”

According to the legend, it was a divine instrument that could solve all of the nation’s problems, from dispelling enemies to bringing rain during a drought. While the original flute doesn't exist today, the legend is a significant part of Korean mythology and is referenced in various forms of art and literature.

This was followed by a divine musical rendition on the Manpasikjeok, with a host of accompanying instruments by Korean musicians, enthralling the audience.

Our Principal Dr. Paul Wilson along with the Korean Consul General