Korean Food Week promoted in Ankara: Ambassador says Turkey is our only brother nation

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TÜRKİYE — Nov. 14, 2025

South Korea’s Ambassador to Turkey Jeong Yeondoo said “Turkey is our only brother nation” during a press event promoting Korean Food Week, which will take place in Ankara next week. Guests at the event sampled traditional dishes prepared by chefs brought from South Korea.

The festival will be held from Nov. 17 to 21 at a hotel in Ankara. Today’s media presentation took place at the same venue and introduced the program, which aims to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.

Two chefs from South Korea prepared traditional dishes

Ambassador Jeong emphasized that cultural elements such as K-pop and Korean cuisine continue to bring Turkey and South Korea closer together. He noted that the culinary event, first organized in 2018, has since become a well-established international cultural program.

Ambassador Jeong Yeondoo speaking at the Korean Food Week press event in Ankara

Attendees were served ginseng chicken soup, fresh kimchi, kimchi pancakes, shrimp fritters, and zucchini fritters, prepared by two guest chefs from South Korea.

“Turkey is our only brother nation”

During the open buffet session, Ambassador Jeong announced that South Korea’s President will visit Turkey at the end of this month — the first presidential visit in 13 years.

Touching on the historical ties between the two nations, he said:

“Turkey has several brother countries: Korea, Pakistan, Azerbaijan… But if you ask anyone in Korea, young or old, ‘Who is Korea’s brother nation?’ they will all say ‘Turkey.’ Turkey is our only brother nation.”

Ancient ties reaching back to the Göktürks

Jeong said that the brotherhood between the two nations predates the Korean War, where Turkey sent troops to support South Korea. He explained that the roots extend back to early history:

“In the past, the lands of the Göktürks neighbored our region. We were called ‘neighbor nations.’ When the khagan of the Göktürks died, many from our side traveled to offer condolences. The Orkhon inscriptions say, ‘People came from the East and mourned together.’ Those were Koreans.”

He added that Koreans still remember this history today, which is why calling Türkiye a brother nation “comes naturally.”

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