[기고문]Uzbeks Dream of Korean Lifestyle 상세보기|국내언론

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[기고문]Uzbeks Dream of Korean Lifestyle

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작성자: 문하영 주우즈베키스탄 대사
작성일: 2005-05-15
조회수: 1559

[President Roh's Visit to Uzbekistan] Uzbeks Dream of Korean Lifestyle

By Ryu Jin
Staff Reporter

The image Uzbek people have of South Korea is much more positive than Koreans think and many Uzbek people yearn for the lifestyle they see in Korean soap operas, Seoul's top diplomat in Tashkent said.

``Driving a Korean car, watching Korean soap operas and using mobile phones made in Korea _ this is a lifestyle a lot of Uzbek people dream of,'' Ambassador Moon Ha-yong said in an interview with The Korea Times. ``The Uzbeks are much closer to us than we think.''

He attached special significance to President Roh Moo-hyun's visit to Uzbekistan, saying it will give South Korea a crucial opportunity to pursue strategic diplomacy of making real friends and promoting substantial cooperation with the Central Asian country.

``This is the first visit in about 11 years by a Korean head of state,'' he said. ``And this will certainly give the two nations a chance to discuss topics ranging from bilateral ties in the political, economic and cultural fields to other regional affairs in Northeast and Central Asia.''

Moon said South Korea could promote economic cooperation with Uzbekistan, particularly in the energy sector, which is rich in mineral resources. Expanding exchanges in textiles, electronics and automobile parts industries can also be mutually beneficial.

Bilateral relations have gradually developed since the establishment of diplomatic relations in January 1992, and the two countries have become crucial partners for economic cooperation, officials at the South Korean Embassy in Tashkent say.

South Korea marked the largest foreign investment in Uzbekistan with some $1.1 billion (1.1 trillion won) as of March 2005 and was ranked the fifth biggest trade partner with a total volume of $440 million (440 billion won) last year.

``Uzbeks regard South Korea as one of the most important economic partners following the United States and Russia,'' Moon said. ``For us, Uzbekistan is also an important country, being our fourth largest trade partner among the 12 Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).''

Roh's visit this time would mark a fresh turning point for development of bilateral economic cooperation by resolving the problem of debt redemption of Uz-Daewoo, a joint venture between South Korea's Daewoo Motors and the Uzbek government, he added.

Regarding the investment environment in Uzbekistan, Moon pointed out that an underdeveloped banking system, complicated and excessive taxation and nontransparent legal systems are main stumbling blocks for South Korean businesses investing in the country.

``But, ironically, South Korean companies could be said more competitive than other foreign firms since they have become immune from such problems since they've been doing business in this country for more than 10 years,'' he said jokingly.

Moon, however, said his embassy has been making and will continue to make utmost efforts to remove the difficulties by urging the Uzbek government to improve the investment environment.

The ambassador also expects Roh's visit to provide a good opportunity to improve the social status of the some 200,000 ethnic Koreans that live in Uzbekistan and as they lie at the root of cultural understandings between Uzbekistan and South Korea.

Korean-Uzbeks better known as ``Koryo-in,'' or ``Kareitsy'' in Russian, were from Korea's Choson Kingdom (1392-1910), who moved to Far Eastern Russia from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. Forced to move to Central Asia by Joseph Stalin in 1937, the people and their offspring found a new life there and now about 470,000 are estimated to live in Russia and the CIS, including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Moon says the Uzbeks have long been familiar with the traditional culture of Korea largely through the existence of Kareitsy in the country. Every year, about 3,000 Uzbek youth come to South Korea under the industrial trainee system and they now serve as a bridge promoting exchanges between the two countries, he added.

``Their interest in South Korea and its culture is greater than we imagine,'' he said. ``Though we might not know Uzbekistan and its people very well, they like South Korea and its people very much.''

Moon, 48, recalls the first time he arrived in Uzbekistan for the ambassadorial job in September 2004. He was surprised to discover the popularity of Korean culture in the country.

``When I attended the first diplomatic reception here, a high-level Uzbek government official came to me and said he saw ``Winter Sonata,'' a Korean soap opera, four times with his wife and daughters,'' he remembered. ``It was a surprise when he asked me if I knew Chunsang and Yujin, the main characters.''

Since it was first shown in 2003, ``Winter Sonata'' has been aired by main broadcasting stations four times, creating a great sensation. Other Korean dramas such as ``All-In'' and ``Hotelier'' followed until recently and some more including ``Damo'' and ``Taejanggum'' will also be introduced this year, according to the embassy.

Moon stressed the need for government support to expand the cultural exchanges into such various areas as fine arts, traditional music, opera and dance so that a favorable image of Korea can be developed into more mutually beneficial exchanges of the two peoples.

``As ambassador, I will try my best to strengthen bilateral ties and substantial cooperation in economic and cultural fields,'' he said. ``Uzbekistan is, and will be, a good friend of South Korea.''

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[기고문]Uzbeks Dream of Korean Lifestyle