UNJournal Jon Lee | Ambassador Shafiq Rachai of the Kingdom of Morocco in Seoul said, "The Royal Throne is the cornerstone that has sustained the Moroccan nation for a long time and is the most important national symbol that unites the royal family and the people.”

Speaking at a gala reception hosted by the Embassy of Morocco in Seoul at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel on July 30, 2026, Ambassador Rachai then added, "Today, we are celebrating not only the 27th anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s accession but also the national development and reforms achieved under the King’s leadership, as well as Morocco’s vision for a peaceful and prosperous future.”

Then he said: "The Royal Family instills trust, unity, and hope in the people and serves as the strongest link binding Moroccan society together."

Some 350 noted personalities attended the reception, including ambassadors and their spouses from the Seoul Diplomatic Corps and prominent Korean and international personalities.

The event venue was decorated with the flags of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Korea, as well as the screen of an official portrait of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
There also was a video presentation introducing the history, culture and development of the country.

Every year on July 30, the Anniversary of the King's Accession to the Throne is the most meaningful national holiday for the people of Morocco. Beyond simply commemorating the King's accession, it is a representative national holiday of Morocco that symbolizes the long history of the dynasty, national identity, national unity, and sustainable development.

King Mohammed VI ascended to the throne in 1999, succeeding his father, King Hassan II, and marked the 27th anniversary of his reign in 2026. During his reign, he has strived to strengthen Morocco's national competitiveness by promoting national modernization, economic reform, social integration, the expansion of transportation and industrial infrastructure, a transition to eco-friendly energy, and digital innovation. In particular, leveraging its geographical advantage of connecting Africa and Europe, Morocco is emerging as an international production and logistics hub by intensively fostering industries such as automobiles, aerospace, railways, phosphate rock, renewable energy, batteries, and digital technology.

Ambassador Rachadi said, “The Royal Throne is the cornerstone that has sustained the Moroccan nation.”

Bondage of Freedom and Peace Began in the Korean War:
Ambassador Rachadi explained the historical foundation of Korea-Morocco relations and mentioned the participation of Moroccan soldiers during the Korean War.

Moroccan soldiers, who were under French protection at the time, fought as part of a French army battalion and defended freedom and peace alongside soldiers from the Republic of Korea and the United Nations.

Ambassador Rachadi assessed that this historical bond serves as a valuable foundation for the friendship between the two countries today. He stated, “The friendship between the two countries goes beyond mere diplomatic relations and is built upon a historical solidarity in which we have jointly defended freedom and peace,” adding, “Based on mutual respect and trust, the Republic of Korea and Morocco are expanding cooperation in various fields, including politics, economy, culture, and education.”

Coordinator for Economic Diplomacy Park Jong-Han at the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who delivered a congratulatory speech on behalf of the Republic of Korea government, congratulated King Mohammed VI on the 27th anniversary of his accession to the throne, and highly praised Morocco’s development achieved under the King’s leadership.

Coordinator Park stated, “Morocco is growing into a strategic bridge connecting Africa, the Mediterranean, and Europe by actively utilizing its unique geopolitical location,” and added:, “Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1962, Korea and Morocco have steadily developed cooperative relations in various fields, including politics, economy, and culture, based on mutual respect and trust.”

Korea and Morocco established diplomatic relations in July 1962, and two months after the establishment of ties, Korea opened the first resident diplomatic mission on the African continent in the capital, Rabat.

There are many Korean companies in Morocco actively contributing t the win-win cooperation between Korea and Morocco.

Hyundai Rotem won a contract to supply 110 double-decker electric train sets ordered by the Moroccan National Railway Authority (ONCF) in 2025. The contract is valued at approximately 2.2 trillion won and is considered the largest order in Hyundai Rotem's railway business history.

Morocco is extensively expanding its railway network and urban transportation infrastructure in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal. Hyundai Rotem's supply of electric trains is expected to contribute to the modernization of Morocco's railways and the strengthening of inter-city connectivity, as well as to the development of the local railway industry.

Report on Hyundai Rotem's Morocco Electric Train Project.

In June 2026, Hyundai Rotem signed a long-term maintenance contract worth approximately 748.2 billion KRW with the Moroccan State Railway Authority, expanding bilateral railway cooperation from vehicle supply to the fields of maintenance and technical support.

Investments by Korean automotive parts companies in Morocco are also continuing. These companies are contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of Morocco's automotive industry, establishing parts supply chains, and creating local jobs.

Expectations for Expanded Trade and Investment Cooperation via CEPA Negotiations:
Korea and Morocco are currently pursuing cooperation to conclude a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Once the CEPA is signed, economic cooperation between the two countries is expected to expand significantly across various fields, including not only trade in goods and services but also investment, industry, technology, and supply chains.

Morocco is considered a strategic hub for Korean companies entering the African market, possessing a free trade network connecting Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as world-class port and road infrastructure. In particular, the potential for joint investment and technological cooperation between Korean and Moroccan companies is growing, centering on the automotive, aerospace, railway, renewable energy, battery, and digital industries.

Peoples of the two countries are becoming closer and closer through cultural exchanges, such as K-Pop and K Dramas.

Exchanges in the fields of culture, tourism, and education are expanding rapidly, in addition to economic cooperation. K-Pop artists are participating in the ‘Mawazine Festival,’ Morocco’s representative international music festival, and Korean films and dramas are also gaining interest, particularly among the younger generation in Morocco. As interest in Korean culture, including Taekwondo, continues to rise, the sense of intimacy and bond between the people of both nations is deepening.

Coordinator Park Jong-han quoted the great Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, saying, “Travel leaves you speechless at first, but eventually turns you into a storyteller,” and added, “The story of Korea and Morocco will continue to grow even richer in the future.”

He then expressed his hopes for the successful hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, and conveyed Korea’s intention to actively cooperate with Morocco in preparing for the tournament and expanding its infrastructure. Commemorative Photo Session with Diplomatic Envoys and Time for Cultural Exchange

Following the official congratulatory remarks, a commemorative photo session was held with ambassadors and diplomatic envoys from various countries stationed in Korea. Attendees celebrated the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI's accession to the throne and wished for peace and prosperity for the Moroccan people.
Food and refreshments reflecting Moroccan tradition and culture were served at the venue, and Moroccan specialties and souvenirs were presented to attendees through a lucky draw.

After the official schedule, a reception was held where attendees could freely interact. Figures from the diplomatic, economic, cultural, artistic, and media sectors shared their views on economic cooperation, cultural exchange, tourism promotion, and ways to expand private-sector exchanges between the two countries.

Ambassador Rachadi also expressed his gratitude to the Moroccan expatriate community in Korea, encouraging them by saying, "With dignity and pride, you represent Morocco in the Republic of Korea and serve as a valuable bridge connecting the two nations." He continued, “The Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Korea will continue to develop an even more solid partnership based on mutual respect and trust,” adding, “I hope that the friendship and cooperation between the peoples of both nations will deepen and that our shared journey toward peace and prosperity will continue.”

This reception commemorating the 27th anniversary of King Mohamed VI’s accession to the throne is regarded as a meaningful diplomatic event that reaffirmed the 64-year friendship between Korea and Morocco while sharing possibilities for future cooperation in fields such as railways, automobiles, renewable energy, culture, and tourism.

Based on the bond of freedom and peace forged during the Korean War, the two countries are expected to further solidify a future-oriented partnership that connects economy and industry, as well as culture and people.