By Lee Jon Young

(New Year Message)
Dear readers of the Diplomacy Journal,

On behalf of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Korea, Aida Ismailova, and on behalf of the entire diplomatic mission, I sincerely congratulate you on the upcoming New Year 2024. May this year bring joy, prosperity and new achievements to your lives.

The year 2023 has become a significant stage in the development of Kyrgyz-Korean relations, emphasizing our desire to deepen and comprehensively expand cooperation. I would especially like to highlight the official visit of the parliamentary delegation from Kyrgyzstan headed by Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyz Republic Nurlanbek Shakiev. This visit was not only a landmark, but also a historical event, since there has not been a visit at the level of the Speaker of Parliament for 9 years.

In September 2023, the first round of Kyrgyz-Korean inter-ministerial consultations in Seoul took place in the history of diplomatic relations, which is an important step in the development of our diplomatic relations. In addition, contacts between the heads of states also took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September, which also demonstrates mutual interest and a desire for further cooperation.

On June 12, 2023, a regular flight between Bishkek and Seoul opened, which will contribute to the growth of mutual tourism and trade turnover.

At the same time, as for the visits of the Korean side to the Kyrgyz Republic, in 2023, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Chong Woo Taek, Minister of Employment and Labor of the Republic of Korea Lee Jung Sik and Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea Han Wa Jin visited. As a result of these visits, cooperation agreements were signed with relevant government agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic in the relevant fields.

In terms of economic cooperation, during the current year, such Korean companies as KT Corporation, Smartro, BC Card, BNK Capital, etc. began to carry out their activities while working on the Embassy in Kyrgyzstan.

In addition, work was carried out to promote the labor potential of Kyrgyzstan in Korea within the framework of the EPS program.

Over 30 years of partnership between the Kyrgyz Republics confirm our firm intention to further strengthen relations. Thanks to the active dialogue and dynamic cooperation, we have created a solid foundation for further deepening cooperation in various fields. More than 50 bilateral documents have been signed, which is a clear indication of our desire for fruitful cooperation.

In the coming 2024, we intend to continue our fruitful work. It is planned to organize visits at the high and highest levels aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and expanding partnership. We will also focus on further deepening cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, introducing new initiatives and projects to enrich our relations.

I wish you a happy new year filled with hope and new opportunities. May 2024 be another step forward in strengthening our friendly ties and cooperation.