Says Ambassador Matute-Mejia of Peru at Independence Day party
By Publisher Lee Kyung-sik, Business Editor Kim Hyung-dae
Ambassador Daúl Matute-Mejía of the Republic of Peru in Seoul said, “The last years have seen a consolidation in the bilateral relationship with the Republic of Korea in its highest level.” Then he said, “This year, we commemorated the Tenth Anniversary of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership settled in 2022 that has allowed the strengthening of the different levels of the relationship, like political, economic, defense, and cooperation.”
Ambassador Matute-Mejia made the remarks at a gala reception he hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul on July 28 in celebration of the most auspicious day of Peru, commemoration of the 201st anniversary of Independence of Peru.
It was a very rare reception in terms of the wonderful venue and guest attendance. The reception hall was very large, largest at the prestigious hotel, and the guest attendance was also the largest in Seoul among the diplomatic functions while the COVID woes were still on-going.
Among the Korean guests in attendance were Vice Minister Kim Hyung-du of the Ministry of National Court Administration of the Republic of Korea, Executive Vice President Lee Mi-ae of Korea Airports Corp., CEO Kim Ji-young of Daol Global, Correspondent Charlie Maeng of SKY News, and CEO Kim Kwang-ja of Hanbok Good Day.
The international dignitaries in attendance included many ambassadors, among whom were Ambassadors Edgar Gaspar Martins of Angola, Maria Theresa B. Dizon De Vega of the Philippines and Ramzi Teymurov of Azerbaijan.
Vice Minister Kim made a wonderful speech in praise of Peru and Korea-Peru relations, friendship and cooperation.
Kim said, “I would like to sincerely congratulate Peru who has surmounted a host of challenges with solidarity.” Then he said, “Also, I would like to thank Ambassador Daul Jesus Enrique Matute Mejia (a person of passion like the scorching heat of the Ica dessert and Mrs. Maria Gariela de Matute (who is like Huacachina Oasis of the Ica desert) for inviting me to this meaningful event commemorating the independence of Peru.”
Kim had a long string of nice remarks for Peru and bilateral relations and friendship.
He said, “Everyone knows that the next year we will be commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relationship and I am certain that this special occasion will be the proper framework for the development of joint bilateral activities through all the year 2022.”
There were many ambassadors and leading figures from various segments of Korean society, including the media whence came Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post, publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean news publications since 1985 with his editorial and reportorial staffers.
Details of the speech of Ambassador Matute-Mejia:
His Excellency
Kim Hyung Du, Viceminister of Justice
Members of the National Assembly
Distinguished colleagues ambassadors a members of the Diplomatic Corp.
Military Attachés.
Business, Cultural, Trade, Touristic, and Academic Representatives of the Republic of Korea.
Dear fellow peruvian citizens
Ladies and Gentlement
As Ambassador of Peru in the Republic of Korea, it is a great honor to be again your host in this commemorative ceremony in Seoul, in the framework of the commemoration of the 201° Anniversary of the Independence of Peru, my country. It is a great pleasure to have all you here, that, in the framework of your public or private activities, have supported directly or indirectly the labor of the Embassy of Peru in Korea.
I would like to start this little commemorative speech, paying my utmost sincere respect to all the persons in Peru, Korea and all the world, that has been affected by the pandemic since 2020, 2021, and so on around the world. For them, my sincere homage with profound respect.
In spite of these difficult circumstances, I would like to outline that Peru continues consolidating in the international arena as a trustworthy and reliable country, respectful of the rule of law, democracy, the pacific settlement of disputes and the openness to the world, on the context of a constructive global bilateral positioning with its neighbors and partners, and seeking and integral foreign action in the multilateral stage, seeking for solutions for the pandemic, the climate change, ocean preservation, refugee crisis and other global issues.
In this effort, the last years has seen a consolidation in the bilateral relationship with the Republic of Korea in its highest level. This year, we commemorated the Tenth Anniversary of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership settled in 2012 that has allowed the strengthening of the different levels of the relationship, like political, economic, defense, and cooperation.
As you know that the next year we will be commemorating the 60° Anniversary of the Establishment of our Diplomatic Relationship. I am certain that this special occasion will be the proper framework for the development of joint bilateral activities through all the year 2023.
On the other hand, Perú is a trustworthy partner for Korea. Korea trust in Peru and Peru trust in Korea. This fact materializes itself in the deepening of the economic interchanges in the last years. Last 2021, we have commemorated the 10° Anniversary of our Free Trade Agreement that has allowed our bilateral trade balance reaches almost to 5 billion dollars (still on the side of Peru). On the other hand, the services balance as been favorable to Korea, all these efforts are focus of creating better conditions of welfare for our citizens.
Likewise, numerous korean enterprises that are represented here tonight, have make a strong commitment with Peru, participating in different infrastructure bids. The most representative case, is the construction of the Airport of Chincheros in Cusco.
This Project brought together important economic consortiums with the participation of important Korean companies.
I am sure that Cusco, will soon enjoy a “state-of-the-art” airport for the benefit of all its citizens and the visitors that arrive to Cuzco looking for know about the Inca Empire. IN the same order of things, it has been planned to developed a “Smart City” in Cusco, and the same in three more important cities in Peru.
Likewise, one of the most important areas of cooperation between both countries is the area of Defense. Recently, Korea has transferred a second Naval Unit to the Navy of Peru, that will contribute to the vigilance of the Peruvian maritime domain. Peru and Korea have been working together in the construction of navy patrols, LPD navy units, and training airplanes for the Air Force. Likewise, Peruvian officers and cadets come to Korea to study in the Military Educative Institutions in same conditions of its Korean peers.
Peru is very interested in continue improving the cooperation in the defense sector with Korea, knowing of the “state of the art” capabilities of its industry and its military institutions and the high level of understanding between the Army Forces of both countries.
On the other hand, it is important to outline that Peru is one of the main receptor of Korea ODA Cooperation in Latin-American.
In the last years this cooperation has focused in the strengthening of our Digital Government capabilities. In that regard, I would like to mention the past inauguration of our Center of Digital Cooperation in the President of the Cabinet of Ministers of Peru on 2021.
Likewise, the President of the Judicial Power visited Korea last May in order to launch a cooperation project to strengthening justice administration for the women protection in remote areas of Peru, the full technological systems to carry on virtual judging and the correspondent capacitation of the Judges all over the country.
As ambassador of Peru in Korea, I have the honor to sponsor the important effort devoted by the University of Yonsei, the Seoul Clinic Laboratories (SCL), and the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) to design and execute the cooperation project entitled: “National Capabilities Development in the Latin-American and Caribbean Countries against COVID-19”, that was designed by my dearest friends: Doctor Lee Kyoung Ryul and Profesor Jhon Ryu.
Dear Friends
As all you know, in the year 2021 we commemorated the Bicentennary of the Independence of Peru as a Republic. This important conmemoration took place in a harsh context in Peru, Korea, and in the world but gave us an important framework to think about we achieve in these 200 hundred years of republican life.
Here in Korea, the Embassy of Peru designed an important commemorative program that includes several activities in the economic, touristic and cultural fields. Many of you support this effort an share with us this festivities. My sincere appreciation to you all. This year, commemorate our 201° Anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment with Korea in the continuous search for more bilateral projects and the consolidation of our friendship.
Also, I would like to recognize the friendship, generosity and selfless collaboration of tonight sponsors: SK Innovation, Dohwa Engineering, Seoul Clinic Laboratories (SCL), Korea Airport Corporation, Hyundai Engineering and Construction, Korea Aerospace Industries, DR Metal, QUANTUM International, Namil Travel Agency and Daegu Heath University working side by side with Peru and its Embassy in Korea.
It is important to pay recognition to the 4 Seasons Administration, that gave us all its disinterested aid for the materialization of this commemorative event. Also, My dearest appreciation for Korean artists: Mr. Jang Dong-il (“Marcelo”) and Mrs. Yejin Han, for graciously accepted to participate in this event. My appreciation to Maestro Ángel Puma, outstanding peruvian musician artist in Korea.
I would also like to make a special mention to the President of the “Harvard Leader´s Program”, Mr. Seo, Seok-Hae, and my classmates, for the deference treatment that has been gave to me and for making a brotherhood that will favor the relationship between Peru and Korea.
I would also thank my wife Gabriela and the diplomatic officials, assistants, and administrative personnel working in the Embassy of Peru.
Finally, this probably will be one of the last opportunities that I will have to officially commemorate the Independence of Peru as Ambassador in Korea, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for your kindness, affection and sincere friendship that honor me all these years. You can be certain that my family and I will consider all of you as honest friends and can count on us anywhere when destiny meet us again.
Dear Friends
Allow me to make a reflection about Peruvian imaginary, about the future that is waiting for us that is closely linked to become a legitimate democratic society, firmly human rights defender, eager for a high-level quality education for all in all levels that leads to an economic development and industrialization in tone with the developed countries, forming a new type of civilization, with prosperity and stability for all its people.
By all that, this commemoration of 201° Anniversary of Independence of Peru is a real opportunity to recognize the sincere friendship of the Government and people of Korea, expressing our sincere wish of success to the new administration of the President of the Republic Yoon Suk-yeol, and its Will to join us in this endeavor of constant overcoming.
Thank you very much,
Tupananchiskama. (Hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar).
Congratulatory speech of Vice Minister Kim Hyung-du:
Buenas noches!
I am Judge Kim Hyungdu, I currently serve as Vice Minister of the National Court Administration overseeing the entire court administration affairs of the Korean Judiciary.
I would like to sincerely congratulate Peru on its 201st independence day and pay tribute to the people of Peru who have surmounted a host of challenges with solidarity.
Also, I would like to thank Ambassador Daul Jesus Enrique Matute Mejia,( a person of passion like the scorching heat of the Ice dessert) and Mrs. Maria Gabriela de Matute ( who is like Huacachina Oasis of the Ice dessert) for inviting me to this meaningful event commemorating the independence of Peru, I also like to extend my appreciation to the staff of the Peruvian Embassy for their efforts to arrange this event.
Since 2007, Korea and Peru have been fostering close judicial exchanges and cooperation with continuous mutual visits of high-level judicial officials and through the training programs for foreign judges provided by the Supreme Court of Korea.
In 2012, our two judiciaries signed the MOU on Judicial Exchanges and Cooperation on the occasion of Peruvian Supreme Court President Cesar San Martin Castro’s visit to Korea. In 2013, Minister of the National Court Administration of the Supreme Court of Korea visited Peru and met with President Enrique Mendoza Ramirez of the Supreme Court of Peru, Afterwards, KOICA training and capacity building programs for foreign judges were provided to Peruvian judges from 2013 to 2015.
More recently, on May 23, 2022, President Elvia Barrios Alvarado and her delegation made an official visit to the Supreme Court of Korea upon the invitation of Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su.
I am aware that President Barrios is the first female President of the Supreme Court of Peru who is endeavoring to improve the Peruvian Judicial System including building integrated network for criminal justice system. With her visit to Korea being the first one by the head of Peruvian Judiciary in 10 years, President Barrios visited various institutions such as Supreme Court IT Center, Seoul High Court, Judicial Research and Training Institute, and Supreme Court Registration Data Center to discuss ways to promote bilateral judicial exchanges and cooperation. Also, her visit served as a great occasion to introduce the Supreme Court of Peru the Judicial IT system of the Korean Judiciary and its practices, and share with them our judiciary’s accumulated experience of building and managing the judicial IT system. I hope President Barrios’s visit to Korea will contribute to a successful building of integrated network for criminal justice system of Peru.
In particular, I believe Peru is seeking various avenues to play a leading role in advancing judicial IT system in South America. If we continue our bilateral judicial exchanges and cooperation, I believe the Peruvian judiciary will be able to come up with appropriate measures in a not so distant future.
Furthermore, I sincerely hope that our two judiciaries develop together by expanding the breadth and depth of exchanges and cooperation and through mutual support in various areas.
There is a Korean saying that, “Even hundreds of miles of distance feel like a moment when the two people are uno animmo, while even 1 meter-distance makes them feel far distant apart when their minds are not in unison.” The distance between Incheon International Airport and lima International Airport is as far as 16,322 killometers (10,142,49 miles), which far exceeds “hundreds of miles”--it is in deed “hundreds of thousands of miles”. However, given the past 59 years of the accomplishments of mutual exchanges and cooperation we have made together, and seeing our distinguished guests here tonight, I realize that this “hundreds of thousands of miles” of physical distance can never be an obstacle to our friendship.
Nonetheless, I wish that I will soon be able to visit the invaluable cultural heritage of Peru, the ‘Machu Picchu.” As well as your hometown ‘Ica’ as easy and early as possible. In this vein, I hope that the new Chincheros Airport construction project in Cusco, a symbolic collaboration between our two countries, will be completed as soon as possible.
In closing, I wish everyone here with us happiness and good health. I thank all of you who have made so much efforts and devoted yourselves to a lasing friendship between our two countries. Alas y buen viento.
Gracias!
