Austria celebrated its National Day and commemorated the 120th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Austria and Korea at Banyan Tree Spa & Resort in Seoul, Monday.

VIPs from the government and the foreign diplomatic community, as well as special guest and former Korean Ambassador to Austria Rep. Shim Yoon-joe of the Saenuri Party joined with some 200 guests and friends of Austria to listen to a performance of the Vienna Boys Choir.

Austria celebrated its first National Day on Oct. 26, 1955, exactly one day after the last foreign soldier left Austrian territory. Austria celebrates its National Day on Oct. 26 because it is the first day it became fully independent and sovereign as a nation.

Austria was partitioned into four spheres of occupation for 10 years in the aftermath of World War 2. But Austrian-Korean relations date back to the 19th century.

“120 years ago, in June 1892, Austria and Korea, at that time the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Korea, signed their first-ever bilateral treaty ― the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation,” said Josef Muellner in welcome remarks during the reception.

“After years of harsh colonial rule and a devastating war, the Republic of Korea developed into one of the most advanced countries worldwide and is an active player in international politics,” Muellner said. “At this point, I would also like to congratulate the Republic of Korea for its recent election to the U.N. Security Council, taking a leading part in the U.N.’s efforts for world peace and security for the coming two years.”

“We should always remember that Korea is still a divided country, while Austria could escape this fate. Austria, therefore, has been particularly sensitive to Korea’s division and the suffering of its people,” he said.

Anniversary years are indeed significant, according to Muellner, because both sides look to their mutual past and future.

“Since both countries re-established diplomatic relations in 1963 their cooperation has intensified,” he said, pointing to $2 billion in annual two-way trade. Trade volume is expected to expand with the Korea-E.U. Free Trade Agreement, which went into force in July 2011.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)