32nd anniversary of our country’s independen and the 31st anniversary

By Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik with VCs. Joy Cho, Jang Chang-yong, Choe Nam-suk, Feature Editor Joseph Sung

Ambassador Vitaliy Fen of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Seoul said, “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.”

In a congratulatory message read by Minister-Counsellor Arziev Fazliddin on his behalf at a gala reception hosted by the Embassy in Seoul on September 4, Ambassador Fen said, “Cooperation with the Republic of Korea has a special place in Uzbekistan's foreign policy. Thirty-two years ago, on Sept. 1, 1991, a new, independent country called the Republic of Uzbekistan appeared on the world map and on Dec.

30 the same year. On Korea was the first country in the Asia-Pacific region, who recognized the Independence of Uzbekistan.” (See further details of the speech of the ambassador immediately after this report.)

The gala celebration reception was held at the prestigious Grand Ballroom of the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on that day with an all-but unprecedented attendance by Korean and international VIP guests as well as the ambassadors and their spouses from the Seoul Diplomatic Corsp.

Among the Korean guests in attendance at the reception were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Mme. Lim Soosuk,

Chairman Kim Yong-gu of the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Association, Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media, and many other leading figures from all segments of Korean society.

Ambassador Fen’s message was followed by a warm congratulatory message by Deputy Foreign Minister Mme. Lim Soosuk. he said in part: “I warmly congratulate Uzbekistan on her continued progress under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as the country pursues reforms across the country.”

Then he said: “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.” (See further details of the speech after one by the Ambassador).

Then came the speech of Chairman Kim Yong-gu of the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Association. Chairman Kim said: “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.” Then he said: “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.” (See further details of his speech at the end of this report.)

According to accounts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea, Uzbekistan is a country on the Silk Road with hundreds of years of history and tradition, located in the heart of Central Asia and home to an estimated 180,000 Korean diaspora, it is a very friendly country with history and tradition. Cultural similarities with Korea.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in Uzbekistan, a former center of Silk Road civilization, in South Korea.

In February 2018, Uzbekistan introduced a visa-free regime for tourists from the Republic of Korea, and from 2019, the number of flights will increase, allowing more people to travel between the two countries.

Korea hopes that active interaction between our peoples will lead to further active development of bilateral relations.

the economic field, bilateral relations are expanding with cooperation in traditional sectors such as gas and electricity, energy, transportation, textiles, logistics, and finance, as well as in new sectors such as information and communication technology, and the number of Korean companies operating in the Republic of Uzbekistan is constantly increasing.

Recent bold economic reforms have improved the investment climate in Uzbekistan, and many Korean companies want to operate here.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, Korea and Uzbekistan have developed a dynamic relationship in various fields, including politics, economy, society, culture, and science and technology. In April 2019, as part of the state visit of H.E. President. Moon Jae-in elevated bilateral relations with Uzbekistan to a "Special Strategic Partnership" to further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.

In particular, the mutual trust accumulated through 16 summits since the establishment of diplomatic relations has laid a solid foundation for building a close and familial relationship between Korea and Uzbekistan that is the envy of the entire world.

In addition, Uzbekistan is a key partner in the New Northern Policy, which aims to achieve peace and prosperity in the Eurasian continent through the establishment of lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Therefore, Korea hopes that the cooperation between Korea and Uzbekistan will not only promote the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, but also usher in a new Silk Road era that can bring about common prosperity in Eurasia.

Message of Ambassador Fen:

I am delighted to welcome all guests in today’s solemn event on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of our country’s independen and the 31st anniversaryce 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.

Vitaliy Fen, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea

Congratulatory message of Deputy Minister Lim Soosuk of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

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!

Congratulatory message from Chairman Kim Yong-gu 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.