Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received the newly appointed South Korean Consul General, Eoon-Gyo Shim, in Erbil on Sunday, pledging full support for his mission to further deepen bilateral ties.

Eoon-Gyo Shim officially assumed his diplomatic post this month, succeeding the previous Consul General, Seungcheol Lim. 

Upon arriving in Erbil, he met with Safeen Dizayee, the Head of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Kurdistan Regional Government, to present his official letter of appointment.

Barzani Backs New South Korean Envoy's Mission 

During today's meeting, Barzani “congratulated the new Consul General on his appointment and wished him success in his new diplomatic mission.” 

He affirmed that the Kurdistan Region's relevant institutions stand ready to provide all necessary support and assistance. 

He also “reiterated his appreciation for the Republic of Korea's support and emphasized the Kurdistan Region’s desire to further strengthen relations with the Republic of Korea and expand cooperation across all sectors.”

New Envoy Vows to Strengthen Bilateral Relations 

Highlighting Barzani’s role in bolstering mutual ties, Consul General Eoon-Gyo Shim “expressed his pleasure at assuming his post in the Kurdistan Region, and reaffirmed his commitment to further strengthening relations between the two sides.”

Two Decades of Cooperation 

The diplomatic partnership between the Kurdistan Region and South Korea began in September 2004 with the deployment of the 3,600-strong humanitarian Zaytun division to Erbil, which built over 250 local facilities, including schools, health centers, and a landmark hospital, before concluding its mission in 2008.

Over the past two decades, this relationship has expanded through millions of dollars in Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)-led infrastructure projects and thriving commercial trade with major South Korean corporations.