THE Government of the Republic of Korea on Thursday presented a sculpture to the Government and people of Jamaica in honour of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Asian country and the north Caribbean island.

Charge d’affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea Baejin Lim made the presentation to Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith.

The sculpture was made by renowned Jamaican artist Lisa Lindo. It highlights the mutualistic relationship that exists between Jamaica and Korea, expressed visually using the national flower of the Republic of Korea, the Mugunghwa or “Rose of Sharon”, and the Jamaican hummingbird or “Doctor Bird” which feeds and pollinates one of the flowers, depicting the union between the two. The artistic piece also has six flowers, each representing a decade, summing up a total of 60 years of prosperous friendship between the two countries.

“It is a pleasure for me to be here today on this happy occasion,” Lim said. “First, I would like to express thanks to Senator Kamina Johnson Smith and Ambassador Sealy Monteith for accepting this beautiful gift from the Government and people of the Republic of Korea. From thought to completion the ministry has supported us, and here we are today with the final product a beautiful sculpture of friendship.

“I present this sculpture today in honour of Korea-Jamaica’s 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations made by a renowned Jamaican artist, Mrs Lisa Lindo. This sculpture will stand in the ministry as a reminder of the strong bonds that exist between Korea and Jamaica. In fact, the actual display consists of the Jamaican hummingbird and the Korean Rose of Sharon. The beautiful meaning behind it all is that a mutualistic relationship exists between the two, the bird and the rose.

“I believe this symbiotic representation of Korea and Jamaica’s friendship will be maintained and will remain relevant for years to come. I can say that both Korea and Jamaica have witnessed fruitful outcomes in our bilateral cooperation. This is a reminder of our collective strengths. Let us embrace what has been and move forward to even better,” Lim stated.

The sculpture will be permanently housed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.