South Korea today inaugurated its consul general office here to cater to the needs of states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory Chandigarh.
Korean Ambassador to India Cho Hyun, who inaugurated the city office, said Korea is keen to forge economic partnership with India in the field of renewable energy, defence industry, health and education and also for working together on dealing with cyber crime threat.
He said his country was also interested in having academic exchange programme with Panjab University for encouraging Koreans to study in this prestigious university.
"We are exploring the possibility of academic exchange programme with Panjab University. There are very few Koreans in India and I want more Koreans in India and for that we need some academic exchange partnership with PU.
"I was surprised to find not a single Korean in PU despite all the good conditions for receiving Korean students here. Therefore, I advised PU Vice Chancellor to send a team for holding a road show to attract Koreans here," said Hyun.
Meanwhile, Jagdip Singh, a leading manufacturer and exporter of automotive parts, has been appointed as the first Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea (south Korea) here.
"The office of the Honorary Consul will also provide limited consular assistance in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh and support the Korean citizens within these states," Ambassador Hyun said.
"Republic of Korea has been one of the major and the oldest economic partners of India, by being among the first few countries to invest in the Indian economy post its economic liberalisation in the early 1990s," he added.
South Korea has two consulate offices in Chennai and Mumbai, while one honorary consul general office in Kolkata.
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"As an Honorary Consul, Jagdip Singh will work towards further strengthening the collaboration between the two nations, promoting culture, industry and commerce, facilitating investments, educational exchange and enhancing goodwill," said Ambassador Hyun.
Singh's appointment as Consul General will help towards further strengthening the collaboration between the two nations, promoting culture, industry and commerce, facilitating investments, educational exchange and enhancing goodwill, he said.
Korea's investment in India also recorded a remarkable increase, with more than 4 billion dollars of FDI being invested, he said, adding, "As a result, more than 450 Korean companies are currently operating in India and an increasing number of their products are becoming familiar household for Indians."
"Korean companies are also actively involved in numerous infrastructure projects in India such as highways, subways, and major construction works in power sectors," said the Ambassador.
