The German Embassy organized a slew of special events this year to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and South Korea, and Dec. 16, marks the last important day in a year full of important commemorative events.

On Dec. 16, 1963, an agreement between South Korea and then West Germany went into force and led to thousands of South Korean miners and nurses traveling halfway across the world to work in German mines and hospitals.

“On Dec. 16, it will be exactly 50 years that the program which allowed Korean miners to work in Germany entered into force,” said Markus Hatzelmann, first secretary at the German Embassy here. “This is the last important mark in a year full of important historic dates in the German-Korean relationship.”

One of the highlights of this year was undoubtedly a special concert at Sangmyung Art Center in Seoul on Dec. 3.

The concert featured traditional Korean dance by the internationally renowned Chae Hyang-soon Dance Company and a concert by the German Chamber Philharmonic Bremen, conducted by maestro Paavo Jarvi.

The German Chamber Philharmonic Bremen performed Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, also known as “Eroica.” (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)