Embassy history

Ireland established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea in September 1983, and in April 1989 the Government decided to open an Embassy in Seoul. The first resident Ambassador was Mr. Richard Ryan. The Republic of Korea opened an Embassy in Dublin in 1987.

In 2004 Enterprise Ireland appointed a representative in Seoul to assist Irish exporters in conjunction with the Embassy. In 2013 the IDA opened an office in Seoul.

High level Irish Government visits to the Republic of Korea have taken place over the years such as the former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in 2000 and President Mrs Mary Mc Aleese in 2005. In recent times Ministers have visited Korea for St. Patricks Day, as well as for other events such as trade missions.

Ireland established formal diplomatic relations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on a non residential basis on 27 January 2004. Ireland’s Ambassador in Seoul is also accredited to the DPRK.