Korean diplomat looks at much stronger ties with UAE

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

The UAE and Korea will have much stronger bilateral ties as the host government gears up for, and as a result of, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Korea’s Consul General to Dubai and the Northern Emirates Chun Young Wook enunciated this at his welcome address before dignitaries and representatives of the 13,000-strong Korean community who attended the Korea National/Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol) Reception held on Tuesday evening at Al Habtoor Palace in Dubai.

Chief guest was UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. The VIPs were led by Sheikh Juma Bin Ahmed Bin Juma Al Maktoum.

Through a short video, the guests pre-viewed the five-storey/5,200-square metre Korean Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai located at the Mobility Section of the exposition site with the theme “Smart Korea, Moving the World to You,” or, as the narrator stated: “The Republic of Korea will guide you to the new future.”

The pavilion of spirals and spinning cubes will feature how Korea had transformed itself into one of the world’s stronger economies from being a poor state with its own challenges such as devastation due to wars. It will showcase the country’s pursuit of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR) with its own Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Internet of Things but still holding on to its timeless values and traditions. 

The reception was the first in a series of activities which the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Dubai had scheduled for the “Korean Week” as the Northeast Asian country commemorates the formation of the first Korean state of Gojoseon in 2333 B.C. calendared each year on Oct.3.

On Friday, from 6.30pm will be a concert at the Sharjah Cultural Palace wherein the Do Dancing Company will present different traditional folk songs as well as the fan and drum dances. Various versions of the traditional wear, Hanbok, as interpreted by fashion designer Seol Mi Hwa, will be on the ramp.

On Oct. 22 and at the American University of Sharjah will be “The 12th Korea-Arab Friendship Caravan.”

In his address, Chun stated: “Koreans have also participated in shaping (UAE’s) international image, which is a testament to the expertise, talent and technology of Korean companies. Koreans participated in the construction of many projects such as that of Burj Khalifa, desalination projects, oil storage in Fujairah, and Barakah nuclear power plant. Korean medical staff is currently operating Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, which attests to the trust placed on Korea’s outstanding medical expertise and technology.”

“As the UAE prepares for the (Expo2020 Dubai), which promises to be a monumental event and a catalyst that will trigger new economic growth in the UAE, Korean companies seek opportunities to create a win-win strategy for both countries and consolidate the cooperation between Korea and the UAE,” he also said.

Chun cited the Expo2020 Dubai pre-event of a 100-strong business delegation from 60 companies headquartered in Gyeonggi Province where the capital of Seoul is situated, from Sept. 23 to 25.

Gulf Today had reported the delegation’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry to boost partnerships. The companies also networked with the other business authorities in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah and were updated on the needs of the UAE’s knowledge-based economy and its pursuit of the FIR through education and entrepreneurship amidst climate change and environmental issues, food security concerns, as well as the maximization of the use of limited and depleting natural and man-made resources.

He was happy to share that published in Korea were his two columns namely “Dubai Emirate and Dubai Empire” and “Sharjah, Cultural Capital of the Arab World.”

Chun is delighted “how Emirati youngsters are eager to master the Korean language and how they are enthusiastic about the Korean Wave. I was very happy to attend the K-Pop Dance Competition at the Canadian University in Dubai.”

Bilateral trade relations between the UAE and South Korea in 2016 was at $12,811,015,00; in 2017 was at $14,945,941.00; and in 2018 was at $13,875,850.00.