Dear visitors,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the website of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Republic of Korea.
Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1963, Switzerland and the Republic of Korea have developed strong political, economic, scientific and cultural ties. The two countries have shared strengths and core values that support civil societies: democracy, open market economy, innovation and cultural diversity.
On this solid base, a free-trade agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member state, and the Republic of Korea already celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2021, seeing important increase in trade and business relations over the last decade. Close collaboration between the two countries has been accelerated and further enhanced by the launch of the Swiss-Korean Life Science Initiative in 2016. Exchanges between universities, research institutions, hospitals, start-ups and private corporations of Switzerland and the Republic of Korea have been diversified in recent years mainly driven by the annual Swiss Innovation Week initiated in 2018. Undoubtedly, an important and strong link between Switzerland and Korea is also reflected by the Swiss presence in Panmunjeom as a member of Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) since 1953 in support of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Rooted in the long-lasting friendship, the new Embassy building inaugurated in 2019 is a symbol of Switzerland’s growing interest to the Republic of Korea. Embodied with the contemporary mode of the Korean traditional house, hanok, and attentive to Swiss architectural practice, the new Swiss house functions as a platform to intensify connections between the two civil societies in multiple levels. The horse-shoe shaped building comprises different wings of the Embassy - Chancery, Swiss Business Hub Korea, Science and Technology Office Seoul, Switzerland Tourism Korea - in all reflecting Switzerland’s desire to further expand its mutually beneficial relations with the Republic of Korea. In the urban context, the Embassy is often acknowledged by urban planners, engineers and architects for its ecological features: the building produces up to half of its electricity consumption by its own solar panels; it heats and cools with geothermal energy and harvests rainwater for reuse (more on the building).
Remarkably, we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Switzerland and the Republic of Korea in 2023. Despite the challenges posed by the unpresented COVID-19, we will join forces with our Korean counterparts to reinforce the friendly ties in many fields. This will be another opportunity to strengthen political relations and to bridge more individuals, professionals, public officials and cities of the two countries. From innovation, economy, sustainability to art and architecture, we will be committed to promote the increasing interest of the two civil societies in each other and to develop the institutional connections.
This website is designed to help you to obtain information about cooperation between Switzerland and Korea in all fields as well as on the activities of the Embassy. It also contains information about visa requirements, traveling and most up-to-date information on COVID-19 related measures. To stay up to date with our activities, you are invited to subscribe to our Embassy Event Calendar and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. I invite you to explore our website and discover stories about the relationship between Switzerland and the Republic of Korea.
I wish you a pleasant exploration of the site.
For any further information, please contact us at: seoul@eda.admin.ch
Dagmar Schmidt Tartagli
Ambassador of Switzerland to the Republic of Korea
