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Welcoming Remarks
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Ukraine H.E. Mr. Lee Yang Goo
on the occasion of
the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations of the Republic of Korea and Ukraine
10 February 2017
17:00 Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv Dear distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen!
Thank you very much for joining us today. Especially I would like to express my gratitude to H.E. Mrs. Liliya Grynevych, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, H.E. Mr. Igor Zhdanov, Minister of Sports and Youth of Ukraine, Mr. Serhii Kyslytsia, Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. Kostiantyn Bryl, Governor of Zaporizhia region, Honorable Mr. Serhii Larin, Chairman of the Interparliamentary Group of relations with the Republic of Korea, other members of parliament, and my colleague ambassadors for coming to our reception.
Today we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Korea and Ukraine. I would like to express special thanks to the greatest contributors for their devotion to the development of our relations during these 25 years:
1) Former presidents H.E. Mr. Leonid Kuchma and H.E. Mr. Viktor Yushchenko;
2) Former Ministers of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Anatoliy Zlenko and H.E. Mr. Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, current Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Pavlo Klimkin;
3) H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Lytvyn, former Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine;
4) Former Chairmen of Interparliamentary Group of relations with the Republic of Korea the honorable Mr. Tariel Vasadze and current chairman – the Honorable Mr. Serhii Larin;
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5) First Ambassador of Ukraine in the Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr.
Mykhailo Reznik;
6) Rector of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute – Dr. Mykhailo Zgurovskyi;
7) Rector of Shevchenko University –Dr. Leonid Guberskyi.
First of all, I would like to review the achievements during the last 25 years: at the R&D Samsung Center there are more than 600 highly qualified Ukrainian IT specialists. Ten high-speed trains built by Hyundai Rotem run between the main cities of Ukraine. POSCO Daewoo has become one of the main players on the Ukrainian grain export market.
So how can we continue our cooperation in the next 25 years? We should stick to the 3 principles: value orientation, global orientation and future orientation.
Firstly, value orientation means co-prosperity, integration and furthermore – peacebuilding.
Secondly, global orientation is based on the bilateral cooperation that will be further expanded to the Eurasian continent and furthermore to the global level.
Thirdly, future orientation means – both sides should cooperate based on the upcoming global trends – FEW (food, energy and water), climate change, 4th industrial revolution based on the development of science and technology, and the Eurasian integration.
There is a saying that vision without action is daydream, action without vision is a nightmare. Thus, vision and action should go together.
And what about the vision for Ukraine under these 3 principles?
In my view it could be the Miracle of the Dnipro River, followed by the miracle of the River Rhine in Germany and the Miracle of the Han River in Korea.
So then let’s visualize our vision:
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In the city of education and technology - Kharkiv – it is possible to create a new Silicon Valley, using the experience of the Korean Pangyo Techno-Valley.
In the port city Odessa, we can develop a second Rotterdam, like in Korean special economic zone Songdo.
Lviv will become one of the medical hubs in Europe.
Ukraine can also become one of the major alternative energy hubs in Europe.
In Kyiv Gidropark, it is possible to create a second Yeouido island, which will be one of the most beautiful island in Europe.
On the Dnipro River there are opportunities to create the center of logistics and tourism, like the 4 major rivers projects in Korea.
In agriculture, considered as an industry of the future, Korea and Ukraine could develop the sixth industrialization of agriculture, which includes farming, food processing, alternative energy, biotechnology, logistics, and tourism.
Then what about the actions to realize this vision?
There are great perspectives ahead of us, but at the same time, our actions should be concrete.
In the political field, we are expecting the visit of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea in the coming March, and the holding of a couple of intergovernmental commissions in the first half of the year.
In the economic field, both countries are currently working on the establishment of the investment platform to implement joint projects in various areas such as: construction and modernization of nuclear power plants, solar energy, the joint production of high-speed trains, grain terminals, auto payment system of public transportation, greenhouses, waste management, banking sector, modernization of hospitals, online business, central heating systems for cities, and other projects.
In the field of education and culture, we are happy to open the education center in March.
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In order to enhance our mutual understanding, we are going to implement digital public diplomacy in March.
We will even further establish the direct flights between Kyiv and Seoul in the nearest future.
In conclusion: two countries are facing great challenges. However I am confident that both countries can transform these challenges to blessings and become hope makers, prosperity makers, facilitators for Eurasian Integration and finally peace makers.
Thank you!
