Representative Park Geun-hye visited Greece May 3-6 in her capacity as presidential envoy on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. On May 4, she paid a courtesy call on President Papoulias to deliver President Lee Myung-bak's letter in honor of the 50th anniversary; and extend appreciation to the country for its participation in the Korean War, support for the Korean government's policies on North Korea and strong cooperation in withdrawing Korean residents from Libya amid its unrest early this year.

Special envoy Park met with Prime Minister Papandreou and attended the luncheon hosted by Foreign Minister Droutsas. On these occasions, the two sides exchanged views on ways to expand bilateral cooperation, such as in shipbuilding, maritime transport, and new and renewable energy, as well as Greece's support for Pyeongchang's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and participation in the 2012 Expo in Yeosu. They also exchanged views on regional issues, including that of the Korean peninsula and the Greek financial crisis.

Presidential envoy Park also met with acting Parliament Speaker Niotis, during which the two sides agreed to vitalize cooperation and exchange of officials between the parliaments of the two countries. The Korean delegation conveyed the National Assembly's expectation for Greek Parliament Speaker Petsalnikos to visit Korea in the near future as part of such exchanges.

Presidential envoy Park held a gathering with local Korean residents to explain the Korean government's major policies, including support for overseas Koreans, and to offer encouragement. The visit to Greece 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.