By Jon Lee 

 

The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Seoul hosted a reception to mark the 32nd anniversary of the Independence of Uzbekistan and the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and South Korea at Hotel Lotte in Seoul on Sept. 4.

More than 700 distinguished guests from the Korean government and various other segments of Korean society, as well as the ambassadors and other senior officials from the Seoul Diplomatic Corps, attended the gala reception.

 

 

Among the distinguished Korean guests were Lim Soo-suk, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and Kim Yong-gu, Chairman of Korea-Uzbekistan Business Association.

Speaking on behalf of Ambassador Vitaliy Fen who was unable to attend the event due to health problem, Fazliddin Arziev, minister counsellor of the Embassy of Uzbekistan, said, “Uzbekistan and Korea are strongly cooperating in the fields of health care, pre-school and higher education.”

He said, “The first major joint project in the field of medicine is the construction of children's multidisciplinary clinic in 2020 in Tashkent city.  Five Korean Universities opened their branches in Uzbekistan and pre-school education system of our country has been completely reformed based on Korean experience.”

 

 

Noting that more than 200,000 ethnic Koreans are residing in Uzbekistan, he said, “The closeness of the mentality of the people and the large Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan play an important role in the development of the friendly relations between our countries.”

Minister Counsellor Fazliddin Arziev’s speech was followed by an impressive congratulatory speech by Lim Soo-suk, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

Lim said in a speech, “Uzbekistan has been on its continued progress under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as it pursues reforms across the country.

 

 

Commenting that more than 500 Korean companies have entered Uzbekistan and are actively participating in the energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors, Lim said, “Korea is one of Uzbekistan's largest trading partners.”

Delivering a congratulatory speech, Kim Yong-gu, chairman of Korea-Uzbekistan Business Association, said, “Under the strong leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoev, the new Uzbek government has brought about great peace and prosperity for the people of Uzbekistan since 2017.”

 

 

The following is the full-text of the speech by Vitaliy Fen, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea, which was read by Minister Counsellor Fazliddin Arziev.

 

I am delighted to welcome all guests in today’s solemn event on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of our country’s independence and the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea.

Cooperation with South Korea has a special place in Uzbekistan's foreign policy. Thirty-two years ago, on September 1, 1991, a new, independent country called the Republic of Uzbekistan appeared on the world map. On December 30, 1991, the Republic of Korea was the first country in the Asia-Pacific region, which recognized the independence of Uzbekistan. Diplomatic relations were established between our countries on January 29, 1992. 

 

 

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, 18 meetings have been held at the level of heads of state. Until now, more than two hundred interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents have been adopted between our countries. This important legal framework serves as a solid foundation for mutual cooperation.  As a result of a mutual beneficial cooperation in recent years, Uzbek-Korean relations have been upgraded to the level of Special Strategic Partnership.

The ministries of foreign affairs, as well as inter-parliamentary cooperation, play a big role in raising relations between our countries to a higher level.

In June this year, a delegation led by Korean Foreign Minister Н.Е. Mr. Park Jin made a fruitful visit to Uzbekistan. In September, it is planned to organize an official visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and the Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistan to Korea.

 

 

The Republic of Korea is one of the main trade and economic partners of Uzbekistan. Currently, about 900 enterprises with the participation of Korean investors operate in Uzbekistan. In 2022, the trade turnover between the two countries exceeded 2.3 billion dollars and overall volume of investments attracted from the Republic of Korea have exceeded 7.3 billion dollars. 

Our countries are strongly cooperating in the fields of health care (ҳелс кеер), pre-school and higher education. The first major joint project in the field of medicine is the construction of Children's multidisciplinary clinic in 2020 in Tashkent city.  Five Korean Universities opened their branches in Uzbekistan and pre-school education system of our country has been completely reformed based on Korean experience. 

Last but not the least, the closeness of the mentality of the people and the large Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan play an important role in the development of the friendly relations between our countries. More than 200,000 ethnic Koreans residing in Uzbekistan today have become an integral part of our multinational society.
Dear Guests!

I would like to conclude by expressing once again my deepest gratitude for sharing our special occasion today.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all good health, peace and prosperity.
Thank you for your attention and I hope you enjoy traditional Uzbek food and musical performances.

 

The congratulatory speech by Lim Soo-suk, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

 

Distinguished guests, Good evening! Nice to meet you.
It is a great honor and pleasure for me to be here on behalf of the Korean government to congratulate the 32nd anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence and the 31st anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

I congratulate Uzbekistan on its continued progress under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as it pursues reforms across the country. 

Accordingly, I believe that Uzbekistan's international status will continue to rise.
Dear distinguished guests, I am very happy and honored to be able to contribute to the promotion of friendship between our two countries together with Ambassador Vitaliy Fen, with whom I have maintained a close relationship for a long time.  I also visited many regions, including Tashkent and Samarkand, on various occasions, and I still vividly remember the warm hospitality of the Uzbek government and people.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude. Uzbekistan is a neighbor with a very special relationship with Korea. 

Uzbekistan provided a warm home to Goryoin (ethnic Koreans) who immigrated to Central Asia about 80 years ago. Today, our two countries are being reborn as special strategic partners based on deep trust and friendship since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992.

Currently, more than 500 Korean companies have entered Uzbekistan and are actively participating in the energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors, and Korea is one of Uzbekistan's largest trading partners. 

The scope of cooperation between the two countries continues to expand to future-oriented fields such as digital health, ICT, and smart agriculture. 

Our two countries will continue to move forward together for a brighter future. 
Once again, I sincerely congratulate Uzbekistan on the 32nd anniversary of its independence.
And I wish good health and happiness to all the distinguished guests present here! 
Thank you!

 

The congratulatory speech by Kim Yong-gu, chairman of Korea-Uzbekistan Business Association

Good evening, everyone. First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the host and the people of Uzbekistan on the 32nd anniversary of the Republic of Uzbekistan's independence. Over the past few decades, I have had the privilege of visiting Uzbekistan countless times. Observing the current state of affairs since gaining independence, it is evident that Uzbekistan's economy has been experiencing remarkable growth day by day.

 

In particular, the new government, under the strong leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoev, has brought about great peace and prosperity for the people of Uzbekistan since 2017. In Korea, over 1,000 diverse companies, led by members of the Uzbekistan Business Association, have entered Uzbekistan and are diligently working towards development in various industrial sectors.

 

I would like to seize this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoev and the people of Uzbekistan for actively supporting Korean companies and creating a favorable business environment. It is my sincere hope that through closer collaboration between our two countries, friendly cooperation and economic development will continue to flourish in the future. Furthermore, I genuinely anticipate the further deepening of the special strategic partnership between our nations.

 

Lastly, I would like to extend my well wishes to all the esteemed guests present today. May you always be in good health and happiness. Once again, I wholeheartedly congratulate Uzbekistan on the occasion of its 32nd Independence Day.