Afghanistan's geographic importance linking neighbouriing countries including Central Asia, West Asia and further Europe & the Middle East were once again newly illuminated through its Seoul Embassy 100th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Afghanistan, held on Aug. 22th evening dinner reception at a downtown hotel Seoul.

Based on the 1922 constitution of Afghanistan, human Rights and freedom were strongly respected, forced labor, torture and slavery were prohibited. The equal right of education and freedom of the press were preserved. All the local and tribal ethnic groups in Afghanistan regardless of their religion, ethnicity and class were regarded the citizens of the country, according to the Embassy of Afghanistan Seoul.

To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Restoration of Independence of Afghanistan, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Seoul hosted a reception under the auspices of Afghan Amb. Atarud & Mme for the first time since Afghan envoy Atarud presented his credentials in Korea while Representatives of the Government of the Republic of Korea, Honorable Schah Zaman Miwandi Head of National Environmental Protection Agency of Afghanistan, officials from the Foreign Ministry of Korea, over thirty-five Ambassadors, members of diplomatic corps, Afghan students, Afghan community residing in Korea, representative of Korean companies and Institutions attended the reception.

During his welcoming remarks Amb. Atarud highlighted the scarifies of Afghans on the restoration of independence of Afghanistan, its importance, reforms process of King Amanullah Khan after declaration of independence. He further said “Based on the 1922 constitution of Afghanistan, human Rights and freedom were strongly respected by the authority, forced labor, torture, and slavery were prohibited”.

He mentioned the mandate of King for a modern Afghanistan by concentrating on education to Afghan youths and children. In terms of bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Korea, Ambassador Atarud said: “We remain grateful to the Republic of Korea for providing development assistance to Afghanistan and I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Korea”.

Touching upon recent peace process on the peninsula, he also mentioned that “The Government and people of Afghanistan have been always supporting peace initiatives in the Korean Peninsula and hoping for everlasting peace and security of this peninsula”.

In a congratulatory remark Mr. Yoon Yeon Chul, Ambassador for Climate Change MOFA ROK, besides congratulating on this occasion offered his condolences on the recent terrorist attack in Kabul and reconfirmed the commitment of the Republic of Korea for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan and fighting against terrorism and extremism. Honorable Mr. Schah Zaman Maiwandi, Head of the National Environmental Agency of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, during his congratulatory remarks, appreciated for the assistance of the Republic of Korea in the environmental sector of Afghanistan and requested for continued collaboration between the two nations.

In terms of cooperations with the NDNnews & its affiliated organization Korea Culture Ambassador Friendship Association, Afghan envoy Abdul Hakim Atarud attended Incheon Global Campus trip at the end of April this year to see top-notch university campus environment with other over 40 Ambassadors & senior diplomats and in particular, he received the coveted 2019 Intl Friendship Amb. Award from the NDNnews & Korea Culture Ambassador Friendship Assocation at the beginning of August at the Press Center Intl Conference Hall.

The following is a plague content bestowed upon him. -Ed.

2019 Intl Friendship Amb. Award

H.E Abdul Hakim ATARUD

Ambassador of Afghanistan to the Republic of Korea

As an exemplary case for a new-accredited envoy in Seoul, Your Excellency has been sharing experiences, forging cooperations & friendships conspicuously among Diplomatic Corps. by paying a courtesy call to many Embassies in Seoul since presenting credentials on Oct. last year in addition to many courtesy visits to local organizations such as Korean Red Cross, ASAN INSTITUTE, Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation etc. to name just a few, in order to promote bilateral relationships of Afghanistan and Korea.

Having served recently as Foreign Policy Coordinator of DFM Office~ MOFA, Advisor to DFM, MOFA, Kabul, Afghanistan, Consul, Afghan Embassy- Washington DC, & Political Counselor/ Congressional Issues- Afghan Embassy- Washington, DC, Political Counselor/ Congressional Issues- Afghan Embassy- Washington, DC etc. before being appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Republic of Korea, Korean public expects that Your Excellency’s such previous diplomats experiences & expertises would be able to contribute greatly to elevating and boosting bilateral relations between Korea & Afghanistan to one notch higher level.

In recognition of Your Excellency's such excellent diplomatic activities & dedication as Afghanistan top envoy in terms of promoting harmony & friendships, cooperations and relationships between Diplomatic Corps. including with Korea, The NDNnews & SeoulCity magazine bestow 2019 Intl Friendship Amb. Award upon Your Excellency.