열린장관실

Welcoming Remarks
by H.E. Yun Byung-se
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

10thAnnual Iftar Dinner
August 1, 2013

Ambassador Vitali Fen,
Ambassador Mohammed Chraibi,
The Imam Lee Juhwa
Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,

Ramadan Kareem! Welcome.

I am delighted to have all of you here at my residence for Iftar dinner during this holy month of Ramadan. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Iftar dinner hosted by the Korean Foreign Minister, which seems all the more meaningful.

I heard that there is an old Arab saying, “Angels do not come to houses where there are no guests.” With so many guests here at my residence tonight, I don’t think I have to worry about angels’ visits or their blessings.

This evening, I’d like to share with you my thoughts on how the teachings of Islam such as sharing and caring, respect and tolerance, and hope and peace resonate through out the Korean society.

Distinguished Guests,

Koreafirst came to learn the teachings of Islam through the deeds of Turkish brigade that participated in the Korean War.  Those Turkish soldiers showed valor and gallantry against the enemy in the battle front, and compassion and charity toward orphans and the destitute in the rear.

Those Turkish soldiers followed the teachings of the Quran faithfully, “�do good to orphans and the needy, and speak good to the people.”� Upon seeing such good deeds, the people of Korea began to have interest in Islam.  Indeed, Islam shared the bond of brotherhood when Korea was very much in need.

You can see from here the Seoul Central Masjid, the symbol of Korean Islam.  Back in 1970, in appreciation for the ties with the Islamic world, the Korean government donated the land despite the difficult situation at the time.  The Seoul Central Masjid was built on that land, becoming the beacon of the Muslim communities through out this part of the world.  Today, 130-thousand strong Muslim community in Koreais making significant contribution by making Korea as a whole, more multicultural and diverse.

Distinguished Guests,

This evening, we have two very special representatives of the Muslim community in Korea.  Let me introduce to you Ms. Farah Subedar, the host of the KBS World Arabic radio show, and Mr. Kim Jin-soo, a young Korean Muslim.

Ms. Farah Subedar is spreading the Korean Wave throughout the Islam world in Arabic. I have heard that her fans abroad have evenformed a fan club for her on Twitter.

Mr. Kim Jin-soo is a sophomore at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. He first learned of the teachings of Islam while studying the Middle East, and made the decision to convert to Islam three years ago. Mr. Kim is also a very active reporter for the Korea-Saudi Friendship Association.

Like the brave and compassionate Turkish soldiers in Korea 60 years ago, now young Muslims like Ms. Subedar and Mr. Kim are bridging Korea with the Islam world spreading the spirit of respect and tolerance.  Through young people like them, K-pop and Korean dramas are gaining popularity in cities across the Islam world, and Quran is studied in 12 Masjid across Korea.  We are getting to know each other.

Distinguished Guests,

A poet once said that “the center of one’s body is not the heart but the part that is in pain and agony.” Similarly I would say that the center of the world is not any particular place, but where people suffer from conflict and strife.

The Korean people know sadness and pain.  Without even delving into history books, we have experienced an unprecedented level of civil strife 60 years ago.  Although the guns fell silent, still tens of thousands of people are suffering from inability to reunite with their lost families.

The Islam world also knows its share of sadness and pain.  Over the past two years, 100 thousand casualties and 1.7 million refugees were created as a result of the crisis in Syria.  The destruction of Aleppo, once called the cultural capital of Islam, will certainly be recorded as one of the saddest point in modern history.

Nonetheless, the great paradox of the humanity may be that those who suffer become the ones that help others.  I think Quran’s words “�sincerely put into practice the teachings to create a better world”� are great message of hope to those who suffer agony and pain.

Distinguished Guests,

The foreign policy of the Park Geun-hye Government begins from such experiences.  It begins from experiences of receiving help from the international community when we were in pain and realizing democratization and industrialization in midst of difficulties.  Such experience and history are at the root of trustpolitik, the desire to build relationship based on sincerity.

The Park Geun-hye Government, as a responsible middle power in the international community, wishes to give back the help we received in the past.  As a trustworthy friend, it wishes to make meaningful contributions to maintain peace and stability of the international community.  It wishes to pursue common and cooperative growth by promoting freedom and prosperity beyond the Korean peninsula onto the global village.  This is what the Korean Government seeks to achieve through the second Miracle on the Han River.

Distinguished Guests,

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast devoutly during the daytime to share the pain of their neighbors’ hunger, voluntarily help those in need through Zakat, and pray from their heart all night long in Masjid.  To me, all these rituals seem to be one giant prayer offered by Muslims around the world for peace and security of the world.

And the sound of that prayer is resonating through out here in Korea.  I thank you again for joining me this evening in this precious time of prayer that leads all of us to the path of caring and sharing, respect and tolerance, and hope for eternal peace.

Shukran!