Hungary and South Korea commemorates ship disaster victims in Budapest

A commemoration was held in central Budapest on Saturday to mark the 30th anniversary of Hungarian-South Korean diplomatic ties and pay tribute to the victims of this spring’s ship disaster.

On May 29, a cruise ship collided with a sightseeing boat that had 33 South Korean tourists on board and a crew of two Hungarians. Seven tourists were rescued from the water after the collision and the rest died.

Addressing the ceremony at Heroes’ Square, Choe Kyoo-Sik, South Korea’s ambassador to Hungary, said bilateral relations had rapidly developed over the past ten years.

Photo: MTI/Bruzák Noémi

South Korean companies are among the leading foreign investors in Hungary, he said, adding that a direct flight between Budapest and Seoul would further boost relations.

He thanked the efforts of all those who participated in the rescue operation and a search for the victims after the ship disaster, expressing hope that the body of the only victim still missing would be recovered.

Source: MTI