KOREAN EMBASSY
NEWSLETTER
Address: 11th Floor, ASB Bank Tower, 2 Hunter Street, Wellington 6011, NZ , Tel: 04-473-9073, Fax: 04-472-3865 E-mail: researcher1-nz@koreanembassy.org.nz, Website: www.koreanembassy.org.nz
Facebook: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Zealand 3 MARCH 2013
[Photo]: President Park Geun-hye (center) takes an oath of office at the presidential inauguration ceremony on 25th February
PRESIDENT PARK GEUN HYE PLEDGES NEW ERA OF HOPE AND HAPPINESS
On 25th February, President Park Geun-hye has been officially sworn in as the 18th President of the Republic of Korea with her administration focusing on pursuing social integration and opening a new era of hope. As the first female leader in modern history, President Park expressed her will to achieve economic revitalization, the flourishing of culture, and the happiness of the people. With the slogan of “Opening a new era of hope,”
the presidential inauguration was held in front of the National Assembly located in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Following is the highlights of President Park’s Inauguration Address]
In regard to the goal of achieving economic revival, she said, “The new administration will usher in a new era of hope premised on a revitalized economy” through pursuing a creative economy and economic democratization. “A creative economy is defined by the convergence of science and technology with industry, the fusion of culture with industry, and the blossoming of creativity in the very borders that were once permeated by barriers,” said President Park, pointing to science, technology, and IT as key priorities of her vision of a creative economy. “In order for a creative economy to truly blossom, economic democratization must be achieved,” said Park, emphasizing the importance of economic democratization as a prerequisite of a creative economy. “I believe strongly that only when a fair market is firmly in place, can everyone dream of a better future and work to their fullest potential,” said Park.
On the issue of welfare, President Park emphasized the importance of education and mentioned a new paradigm of tailored welfare; “A new paradigm of tailored welfare will free citizens from anxieties and allow them to prosper in their own professions, maximize their potentials, and also contribute to the nation’s development,” said President Park. “We need to provide active support so that education brings out the best of an individual‘s latent abilities and we need to establish a new system that fosters national development through the stepping stones of each individual’s capabilities.”
President Park stressed the value of culture, mentioning the international popularity of Hallyu, the Korean cultural wave. “We will build a nation that becomes happier through culture, where culture becomes a fabric of daily life, and a welfare system that embodies cultural values,” said Park. She also said the country will support “creative activities across wide-ranging genres,” nurture the “content industry which merges culture with advanced technology,” and “ignite the engine of a creative economy and create new jobs.”
In regard to geopolitical issues involving the Korean Peninsula, President Park affirmed her firm stance by saying, “I will not tolerate any action that threatens the lives of our people and the security of our nation.” She urged the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions without delay and embark on the path to peace and shared development.
“Through a trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula, I intend to lay the groundwork for an era of harmonious unification,” Said Park. “It is my hope that North Korea will abide by international norms and make the right choice so that the trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula can move forward,” said Park, expressing her hope for peaceful reunification.
Nearly 70,000 people from all walks of life attended the inauguration. Among them included Korean miners and nurses who were sent to Germany in the 1970s. More than 140 diplomatic envoys and ambassadors to Korea also attended the ceremony. High-ranking officials and world leaders who attended the inauguration included Deputy Prime Minister Aso Taro from Japan, National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon from the United States, First Vice President of Peru Marisol Espinoza Cruz, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, State Councilor Liu Yandong of China who is currently serving on the Politburo of the Communist Party of China, Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce, and Executive Director of UN Women Michelle Vachelet Jeria.
On 22nd February, Ambassador Mr Yongkyu Park visited Rarotonga to sign a joint statement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and the Cook Islands. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mr Henry Puna. Ambassador Park and Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mr Tom Marsters signed the Joint Statement on behalf of their Governments. The Korean Government also announced that it will provide US$100,000 as ODA to the Cook Islands. On this occassion, Ambassador Park discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral ties in diplomatic, economic and cultural fields including tourism with the Cook Islands.
The Cook Islands is a country in the southern Pacific made up of 15 islands and has a population of some 10,000.
Pacific island countries, including the Cook Islands, have vast exclusive economic zones (EEZs). As such, the diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands are expected to contribute greatly to Korea securing fisheries and other marine resources as well as to strengthen cooperation in international organizations. The Cook Islands will mark the 190th country with which Korea has forged diplomatic relations.
KOREA ESTABLISHES DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE COOK ISLANDS
[Photos - clockwise]: (1) Ambassador Mr Yongkyu Park and Deputy Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mr Tom Marsters signing the Joint Statement on 22nd February in Rarotonga, (2) Exchanging the signed Statements, (3) A car was donated by the Korean Government in 2011, (4) Celebrating the establishment of diplomatic relations at the press conference after the signing - Amb assador Park with Prime Minister Mr Henry Puna and Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mr Tom Marsters
On 20th February, Ambassador Mr Yongkyu Park presented new Korean books to the Wellington Central Library.
Various new books on Korean politics, language, history, culture and heritage, were provided by the Korea Foundation to update the Korean book section. In the presentation ceremony, the Korean books were received with appreciation by Mr Justin Lester City Councillor, Ms Jane Hill Manager of City Networks, Mr John Stears Acting Library Manager, Ms Rose Barker Acting Library Manager and Ms Susannah Donovan World Language Collection Selector. All Korean books are displayed at the foreign language section on the ground level of the Wellington Central Library. The Korean Embassy plans to continue donating books on Korea to other libraries in New Zealand as a part of its efforts to promote New Zealanders’ understanding of Korea.
AMBASSADOR PARK PRESENTS KOREAN BOOKS TO WELLINGTON CENTRAL LIBRARY
[Photos]: The Korean books were received with appreciation by Mr Justin Lester City Councillor, Ms Jane Hill Director of the Wellington City Library, Collection Manager and other library staff.
Deputy Head of Mission & Counsellor of the Korean Embassy, Mr Jeonghan Ham, who has been with us since February 2011, has left for his new position as Director of Southwest Asia and Asia Pacific Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) in Seoul.
His successor, Mr Jae Hyun Shim, started his role as the new Deputy Head of Mission &
Counsellor on 13th February. Previously, Mr Shim had been posted to Argentina and Venezuela. His recent role was Director of Energy, Climage Change and Environment Division at MOFAT.
STAFF CHANGE - NEW DEPUTY HEAD OF MISSION & COUNSELLOR
[Photo]: New Deputy Head of Mission & Counsellor Mr Jae Hyun Shim
Learn Korean
(Auckland Region)
The Korean Education Centre in New Zealand presents free Korean language classes in Auckland.
Please contact (09) 303-2625 or nzkoreanedu@@gmail.com, to find out more information.
