On the occasion of Golden Jubilee of the UAE
By Publisher Lee Kyung-sik with Editor Kevin Lee
On the afternoon of Dec. 23, 2021, The Korea Post media presented Ambassador Abdulla Saif Alnuaimi of the United Arab Emirates in Seoul with a Plaque of Citation for the valuable support given to The Korea Post media in the publication of a Special Report on the country in its December 2021 issue on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of the Unification of the Seven Emirates on Dec. 2, 2021.
The occasion also marked the presentation of a separate Plaque of Citation to Interpreter Kim Su-jin at the Embassy who rendered a good measure of support for the successful publication of the Special Report.
The presentation was made at the Embassy of the UAE in Seoul by Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media also on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the founding of The Korea Post media in the upcoming 2022, which has developed into a media organization publishing a total of five news media, including one English monthly magazine and a periodical Korean-language newspaper—as well as two real-time Internet editions, one in English and the other in the Korean language.
Attending the ceremony from The Korea Post media, besides the publisher-chairman were Managing Editor Kevin Lee and Make-up Editor Kim Myeong-keun.
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates, founded on Dec. 2, 1971, which marked the 50th anniversary of national founding this year. According to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE is the gateway to the Middle East and the international aviation hub country. The UAE has been chosen as the best country for young Arab people to live for nine consecutive years (according to Arab Youth Survey) for the reasons of its open economic system and the culture of tolerance.
Amid the COVID-19 global pandemic, the UAE has set an example of “humanitarian solidarity” by providing medical and food supplies to over 70 countries such as Africa, Central Asia, European countries, as well as neighboring Middle Eastern countries.
In particular, 2020 was a meaningful year which marked the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and the UAE. Korea has a “special strategic partnership” only with the UAE among Middle Eastern and African countries. And the partnership is developing to a mature stage, befitting 40 years of relations.
In addition to the cooperation in diplomacy, defense, and energy based on solid friendship and confidence between leaders, the two countries have been working closely in public health sector to respond to the COVID-19 together.
The UAE has the largest Korean community (about 13,000 people) in African and Middle Eastern countries. And the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Abu Dhabi, the only one in the Gulf, is organizing different programs for cultural exchange to bring the citizens of Korea and UAE to get closer to the heart.
The ROK and the UAE designated the year of 2020 as the “Year of Cultural Dialogue”, but considering the difficulties under the COVID-19 pandemic situation, both countries have decided to extend the period to the next year so that all the related events could be held more properly.
Korea and the UAE bow to stay vigilant and cooperate together to curb the spread of infection of COVID-19 pandemic. Even in the midst of changes in international order due to COVID-19 pandemic, Korea and the UAE work side by side more firmly to develop the win-win cooperation.