Meeting Overseas Koreans, Yoon Says "Upgrade Korea-Kazakhstan Strategic Partnership"

Dinner Meeting Inviting 120 Fellow Koreans in Astana
"Promoting Expansion of Training Invitations for Koryoin Fellow Koreans to the Homeland"

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to Kazakhstan, delivered an encouragement speech at a meeting with ethnic Koreans and overseas nationals invited at a hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the 11th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

During his state visit to Kazakhstan, President Yoon Suk-yeol stated, "On the 12th (local time), at the summit meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, we will seek concrete cooperation measures to upgrade the Korea-Kazakhstan strategic partnership."

On the evening of the 11th, President Yoon, together with First Lady Kim Keon-hee, held a dinner and meeting with about 120 local Koreans in Astana, Kazakhstan, where he made these remarks.

In his encouragement speech, President Yoon emphasized, "Central Asia, once the center of the Silk Road, has rapidly developed over the past 30 years. Amid the recent global complex crises, the importance of this region has become more prominent, making it an indispensable and important partner for us, who aspire to be a global pivotal state."

Yoon: "Kazakhstan is an indispensable partner"

President Yoon first introduced the 'Korea-Central Asia K-Silk Road Cooperation Initiative,' the first diplomatic strategy by our government targeting Central Asia, ahead of this visit. He said, "The cooperation between Korea and Kazakhstan has developed as it has today largely due to the sweat and efforts of our compatriots. Since first stepping foot in Ushtobe, Kazakhstan in 1937, the Koryo-saram compatriots who cultivated the barren land and settled by growing rice have now advanced into various fields such as Kazakhstani politics, economy, culture, and academia, firmly connecting the two countries."

He also expressed deep gratitude for the compatriots who have promoted Korea locally and served as a bridge between the two countries, saying, "Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, our companies and citizens have entered Kazakhstan and led the promotion of exchanges between the two countries."

He promised, "Going forward, we will further strengthen the bonds between overseas compatriot communities, including those in Central Asia, and the homeland, actively support the development of these communities, promote communication between Central Asian Koryo-saram organizations and domestic Koryo-saram groups, establish networks between Kazakhstani compatriot enterprises and domestic small and medium-sized enterprises, and expand training programs inviting the next generation of Koryo-saram compatriots to the motherland."

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, on a state visit to Kazakhstan, attended a meeting with Koryoin compatriots and overseas Koreans at a hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the 11th (local time). They applauded while watching a cultural performance by a youth dance troupe of Koryoin compatriots.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, President Yoon said, "We will strive so that the development of Korea-Kazakhstan relations benefits the compatriots, allowing both the Republic of Korea and the overseas Korean communities to grow together," and added, "We hope that the compatriots will also contribute to our government's efforts to realize the vision of becoming a global pivotal state."

Kazakhstan Korean Association President Kang Byung-gu, in his welcoming speech, said, "About 1,500 Korean residents are active in various fields in Kazakhstan, and more than 120,000 Koryo-saram compatriots live here," and expressed gratitude to the President, saying, "Since the Overseas Koreans Office was launched in June last year, the rights and interests of compatriots have improved."

Shin Yuri, President of the Kazakhstan Koryo-saram Association, emphasized, "Until now, the association has focused efforts on exchange activities, but now we believe it should expand further," and expressed hope for increased support from the Korean government.

Shin Andrey, President of the Central Koryo-saram Association, requested the Korean government's attention, saying, "It would be good if facilities for educating Kazakhstan Koryo-saram compatriots in Korean culture and language could be expanded."

Yoon: "Compatriots, please support Korea-Central Asia cooperation"

Choi Jong-su, President of the Astana Economic Association, said, "We hope more Korean companies will enter and strengthen cooperation between the two countries," and suggested, "Please enhance government-level support so that our companies can better understand the local market information and related regulations in Kazakhstan."

After the participants' remarks, the Koryo-saram youth dance troupe 'Miseong,' founded in 1994 and active in preserving traditional Korean culture locally, performed fan dance, Taepyeongmu, and boat songs. President Yoon and the First Lady shook hands with them individually and took photos together to encourage them immediately after the performance.

At the end of the compatriot meeting, President Yoon said, "I have seen many performances by overseas compatriots, but watching today's performance in Astana moved me deeply and left a special impression," adding, "I felt a desperate desire to preserve our culture even more than in Korea, and I am grateful that you have preserved our traditional culture well." He continued, "Our people are strong because of diligence, sincerity, honesty, and a cooperative spirit that helps those in need," and urged, "Please pass on diligence, sincerity, honesty, and cooperative spirit well to your children."

Finally, President Yoon added, "The geopolitical and geoeconomic significance of Central Asia is increasing," and said, "To continue cooperation between Korea and Central Asia in energy, minerals, infrastructure, and digital cultural cooperation, we ask compatriots to also lend their support."

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who are on a state visit to Kazakhstan, are attending a meeting with ethnic Koreans and overseas Koreans invited at a hotel in Astana, Kazakhstan, on the 11th (local time), receiving a bouquet from flower children. [Image source=Yonhap News]