"A Dream Realized Thanks to the Endurance of Our People"... This Country Achieves Independence After 300 Years of Colonial Rule [News Seolcham]

East Timor Officially Joins ASEAN, Prime Minister in Tears
Ruled by Portugal, Japan, and Indonesia
Former President Kim Dae-jung Also Aided in Independence

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On the 26th of last month (local time), at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit held in Malaysia, an elderly man with a head full of white hair broke down in tears in front of the press. This man was Shanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of East Timor, the island nation in Southeast Asia. At the summit, East Timor's accession to ASEAN was officially approved after 11 years.

East Timor, a small country with a population of 1.4 million, has a painful history scarred by war, invasion, and colonial rule. It was once dominated by its neighboring country, Indonesia, and became the first newly liberated nation-state of the 21st century. The late former President Kim Dae-jung also worked to protect the people of East Timor.

A History Marked by Foreign Invasion... ASEAN Membership After 11 Years

At this summit, East Timor was officially admitted as the 11th member of ASEAN. East Timor had applied for ASEAN membership in 2011, and its admission was unanimously approved in 2022.

At the ASEAN Summit held on the 26th of last month, Shanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of East Timor, was seen shedding tears. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

On the day the official membership was announced, Prime Minister Gusmao delivered a speech in front of the press, shedding tears of joy. He stated, "This dream was realized thanks to the nameless sacrifices of our people, who endured centuries of suffering," and added, "This marks a new beginning that will bring enormous opportunities through trade and investment."

With a per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $1,491 (approximately 2.12 million won), East Timor is among the poorest countries in Southeast Asia. Its history is marked by repeated colonization and war. From 1702 until the early 20th century, it was under Portuguese rule, and during the Pacific War in 1942, it was occupied by Japan for about three and a half years. After the Carnation Revolution in Portugal in 1974, which triggered democratization, the Portuguese government relinquished its colonial rights, seemingly paving the way for East Timor's independence. However, in 1975, neighboring Indonesia invaded and unilaterally annexed the country, subjecting it to 24 more years of foreign domination. During this period, the Indonesian military brutally executed and massacred many East Timorese.

The people of East Timor formed an armed group called the East Timor National Liberation Army (FALINTIL) and continued a persistent resistance against Indonesia. In 1999, a referendum confirmed their will for independence, and on May 20, 2002, they finally succeeded in achieving independence. Prime Minister Gusmao, who attended this ASEAN summit, was a former military leader who served as the commander-in-chief of FALINTIL and led the resistance, later becoming the first President of East Timor.

Ties with Korea... Support During the Kim Dae-jung Administration

East Timor also has deep ties with Korea. During the administration of President Kim Dae-jung, Korea provided extensive support to help protect East Timor. In 1999, President Kim took active diplomatic steps to put the East Timor bloodshed at the forefront of the agenda during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. At the time, he urged international organizations such as the United Nations (UN) to take action and discussed the issue of East Timor with then-U.S. President Bill Clinton during a Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral summit.

Prime Minister Gusm?o shaking hands with former President Kim Dae-jung and his wife in 2002. eVideo History Hall

In September of the same year, when the UN sent peacekeeping forces to support East Timor's independence, the Korean military also dispatched the Evergreen Unit to maintain public order. From 1999 to 2003, the Evergreen Unit carried out activities in East Timor, including maintaining security, providing medical services, and delivering relief supplies.

After East Timor gained independence, the Korean government recognized it as a sovereign independent nation and has maintained friendly relations ever since. In 2000, President Kim became the first Korean to win the Nobel Peace Prize. At the time, the Nobel Committee stated that his efforts for democracy in East Asia, including East Timor, as well as for peace on the Korean Peninsula, were highly regarded. President Kim also emphasized in his Nobel acceptance speech, "Asia has democratic roots, and it functions well when adopted. In East Timor, despite brutal massacres and oppression, the people participated courageously in the vote supporting independence."