On 9 November 2021, H.E. Urawadee Sriphiromya, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN, attended the handover ceremony of the "Mirror Man" contemporary sculpture from the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the ASEAN Secretariat, on the occasion of the ASEAN-ROK Day.  Ambassador Sriphiromya joined the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Permanent Representatives of ASEAN Member States and the Ambassador of the ROK to ASEAN in cutting the ribbon in front of the sculpture. 

"Mirror Man" is the work of South Korean artist Yoo Young Ho. It depicts two human beings who are interacting from the two sides of a mirror. While both of them are from different cultures and perspectives, when looking through a mirror, they are their own reflections. The sculpture sends a message that despite the differences, there is unity among humankind. Our cooperation will allow us to address any common challenges, just like how ASEAN Member States and the ROK have done for over the past three decades. 

On the same day, the Mission of the ROK to ASEAN hosted the 3rd ASEAN-ROK Day on Youtube which can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6znueu6PPPE 

ASEAN and the ROK established formal relations in 1989 when the ROK became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN. The ROK was accorded a full Dialogue Partner status by ASEAN in 1991. Since then, ASEAN and the ROK have enjoyed close and cordial relations with cooperation projects spanning  across all three community pillars of ASEAN. At the 22nd ASEAN-ROK Summit on 26 October 2021, the meeting adopted the Joint Statement of the 22nd ASEAN-ROK Summit on Advancing ASEAN-Republic of Korea Cooperation for People-centered Community of Peace and Prosperity.

(Photo Courtesy: the ASEAN Secretariat)