Representative Park Geun-hye visited Portugal April 30-May 3 in her capacity as presidential envoy on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. On May 2, she paid a courtesy call on President Silva to deliver President Lee Myung-bak's letter in honor of the 50th anniversary; extend appreciation to the country for its support for the Korean government's policies on North Korea; and exchange views on ways to boost substantive cooperation in new and renewable energy, shipbuilding and joint entry into the third-country market.

Special envoy Park attended the dinner hosted by Foreign Minister Amado to express gratitude for a maritime powerhouse Portugal's decision to participate in the World Expo in Yeosu and ask for interest of the Portuguese government and people in Pyeongchang's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. The two sides agreed to enhance the mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries through a variety of commemorative events for the anniversary of diplomatic ties and more active cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

Presidential envoy Park held a gathering with local Korean residents and visited the local branch of Halla Climate Control Corporation, an automobile air-conditioner manufacturer. On these occasions, she offered encouragement to local Korean residents as well as to Korean firms with regard to their operations. In her meeting with Sa Pereira, Korea's Honorary Consul to Portugal, she complemented him on his contribution and hard work to promote Korea-Portugal ties.

The visit to Portugal by presidential envoy Park Geun-hye is seen to have served as an opportunity for the two countries to solidify the friendship between their peoples and to discuss the future direction of bilateral cooperation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.