On May 9, 2025, a delegation of NEAR Secretariat staff led by Director of International Cooperation Choi Juhwa attended the “80th Anniversary of Victory Day” reception held at the Paradise Hotel in Busan. They conveyed congratulatory remarks on behalf of Secretary-General Lim Byung-jin, who was on an overseas mission.
The reception was hosted by the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Busan. In her welcome address, Consul General Oksana Dudnik stated, “The Second World War was the most devastating war in human history. For all Russians, May 9 is not merely a historic date—it is a solemn day to remember those who sacrificed their lives in the war.” She also emphasized the historical friendship between Korea and Russia and called for continued cooperation and mutual understanding between the two nations.
Victory Day is a significant occasion commemorating the end of World War II and the Allied victory over Nazi Germany. It marks May 9, 1945, the date on which the Soviet Union formally accepted Germany’s unconditional surrender, bringing the war in Europe to an official end.