“Belarus, Korea continuously increase cooperation in IT, various other areas”

By Publisher Lee Kyung-sik with Editors Kevin Lee, Linda Youn

Ambassador Andrew Chernetsky of the Republic of Belarus in Seoul said, “The year 2022 was declared as ‘Year of Remembering the History’ based on objective views of the past history.” Ambassador Chernetsky made the remarks at a reception he hosted at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on June 29, 2022 in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Belarus.

Then he said, “Belarus and Korea have continuously increased their bilateral relations for the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, including IT, science and technology.” (See text of speech toward the end of this report.)

The reception was attended by many distinguished guests from the Korean government and society leaders and many ambassadors and other senior members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps.

Among the Korean guests in attendance were Chairman Park Chong-soo of the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation, Vice President Kim Hyun-chul of the Korea International Trade Association, CEO Hong Sung-hyun of UDO Inc. and Managing Director John Lee of Young-Inh Corporation.
Among the international guests were many ambassadors who included Ambassadors Ramzi Teymurov of Azerbaijan, Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi of the United Arab Emirates, Antoine Azaam of Lebanon.

In the opinon of many guests, Korean and international, the food and beverage were jusgt wonderful and so was the manner on the part of the service personnel of the Hotel at the reception.

Congratulating the Republic of Belarus as well as the Ambassador of Belarus in Seoul, Chairman Park of the Presdiential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation made a remarkable speech.
He said, “Belarus and Korea have been deepening cooperation in various fields over the past 30 years and without import of fertilizers from Belarus, farming in Korea is not possible.”

Then he said, “We are also working closely in the IT field. Belarus is a country with a developed IT industry, where there is Wargaming’s famous 'World of Tanks.'”
Then he noted, “Belarus is a country of art. Marc Chagall, a Belarusian-born French artist, spent almost his entire life missing his hometown of Vitebsk, Belarus, and captured it in his works.”

Speech of Ambassador Andrew Chernetsky of Belarus:
Your Excellency Park Chong Soo [Пак Чон Су], Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation,
Excellences, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my privilege to welcome you here today to celebrate two remarkable occasions – the National Day of the Republic of Belarus and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea.

The celebration date of the National Day of the Republic of Belarus was not chosen by chance. On July 3, 78 years ago, the capital of Belarus – the Minsk city – was liberated from Nazi invaders. In that terrible war, every third inhabitant of Belarus died. The memory of these tragic events continues to live in the generations of Belarusian people. This year – 2022 – has been officially declared as a Year of Historical Memory in Belarus to preserve and strengthen the unity of the Belarusian people based on objective attitude of society to the historical past.
Like Republic of Korea, we know the price of freedom. Both our countries have seen terrible consequences of war and do not want it happen again.

Despite all challenges in our history, the country was able to overcome a number of difficult situations with dignity. After the collapse of the USSR, the Republic of Belarus has retained its industrial and scientific potential which has been developed to comply with current economic realities. The country is confidently mastering new technologies, including nuclear energy. 
For 30 years of diplomatic relations between Belarus and Republic of Korea, we have implemented many bilateral economic and innovation cooperation projects, achieved substantial progress in IT and science and technology.

The Republic of Belarus attaches special importance to the development of interaction with the Republic of Korea. My country is very impressed by pragmatic approach that President Yoon Seok-yeol is demonstrating in addressing the issues and challenges new South Korean administration is facing with. A rational view of the country's economic growth directions, including the need to develop peaceful nuclear energy, largely coincides with the priority tasks in the field of economy being implemented in the Republic of Belarus. 

Nowadays the international community has witnessed numerous problems in logistics, energy, food supplies etc. and the whole world is trying to find solutions that would avoid serious consequences for all countries. I would very much like cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Korea to contribute to this matter as well.

For South Korea, investments in our economy can help reduce production expenses due to lower labor costs, reasonable energy and raw materials prices. Small and medium-sized enterprises of the Republic of Korea are showing their interest in cooperation with Belarusian companies in agro-industrial complex, mechanical engineering, petrochemical industry and fertilizers. For Belarusian companies, among top priorities are modernization of machine-building manufacturing facilities by purchasing South Korean machine tools, as well as agricultural technology cooperation.

Dear friends,
The Republic of Belarus is known for its unique nature, a large number of rivers and lakes. On the territory of Belarus there is a large part of the most ancient forest in Europe and UNESCO Heritage Site – Belovezhskaya Pushcha with its unique flora and fauna. 
Ancient castles, numerous monuments of medieval architecture and culture create an unforgettable atmosphere for everyone visiting the country to enjoy its beauty and attractive history closely linked to the East European heritage.
The people of Belarus keep this heritage in their hearts, in Belarusian traditions, in Belarusian history, and National Day of Belarus is an integral part of this memory.
Let me sincerely thank you for sharing these two important occasions with us – the National Day and the Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. With all my heart I wish you happiness, success, peace and prosperity.
Thank you very much!

Congratulatory speech of Chairman Park:
I am Park Chong Soo, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation. 
The Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation, as a control tower in charge of Northern policy, has strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation in various fields with 14 northern countries over the past five years. 
In particular, this year marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with 12 countries, including Belarus. Korea and Belarus have many similarities. Like the Korean people, Belarus is also a nation of white color. Belarus is derived from the expression 'Белая Русь, White Rus'. The reason is that traditionally people enjoyed wearing white clothes with red stripes or traditional patterns. Also, the two countries' territories look like animals. The Korean Peninsula resembles a tiger and Belarus resembles a bison, so it is a country where bisons are admired. The Belovezhskaya Puscha (Forest) is famous for Europe's largest mixed primeval forest called the lungs of Eastern Europe. It is also home to the remaining bisons in Europe. 

Belarus and Korea have been deepening cooperation in various fields over the past 30 years. Without import of fertilizers from Belarus, farming in Korea is not possible. We are also working closely in the IT field. Belarus is a country with a developed IT industry, there is Wargaming’s famous 'World of Tanks'.
Belarus is a country of art. Marc Chagall, a Belarusian-born French artist, spent almost his entire life missing his hometown of Vitebsk, Belarus, and captured it in his works.
Belarus is a country of literature. I cannot forget Belarusian writer Svetlana Alexievich, who won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Belarus is also famous for sports. In addition to ice hockey, which marks the 10th place in the world, it is also the country of Victoria Azarenka, who finished runner-up at the U.S. Open in tennis.
Opening the road from the Korean Peninsula to Belarus, located in the westernmost part of Eastern Europe, opens the era! There is an expression saying that, if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together. For the growth of a country, it is more important to build a solid foundation and go far than simply to go fast.
The Republic of Korea will continue to create new growth engines by strengthening cooperation and continuing exchanges with Belarus. We ask for the interest of both peoples from the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations until the day we celebrate the 300th anniversary. Congratulations on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Belarus, and I wish for the endless success in the future of Belarus.