'New' Ukraine fuels optimism for bilateral relations
Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Olexander Horin, front row ninth from right, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu, front row 10th from right, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pose with other ambassadors to Korea during a reception to mark the 28th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul hotel in eastern Seoul, Sept. 17. / Korea Times photo by Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
Marking the 28th anniversary of its independence, Ukraine has gone through sweeping political change and is making a fresh start that Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Olexander Horin believes will add to prospering bilateral ties.
In April, comedian-turned-politician Volodymyr Zelensky was elected president by sweeping 73 percent of the votes.
His landslide victory was followed by his new anti-corruption party — Servant of the People — winning the majority of the votes in July. This resulted in 60 percent of the 450-member seats of the new parliament, which opened on Aug. 29, being filled up with novice politicians.
The parliament approved President Zelensky’s picks for the Cabinet, whose members are aged 39 on average — the youngest among governments of Europe.
In line with Zelensky’s election pledges, Ukraine is going for ambitious reforms that are anticipated to stabilize the country’s security, politics, society and economy and, accordingly, help attract more international investors.
The reform efforts range from multilateral talks to end a military conflict in the Russia-backed separatist region of Donbas in eastern Ukraine, a possible peace summit with Russia, anti-corruption campaigns, and improvements in the welfare and well-being of the people.
“We do believe the new Ukrainian government and all Ukrainian people can find good partners and friends in Korea,” Ambassador Horin said during an Independence Day reception at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul hotel in eastern Seoul, Sept. 17.
He assessed bilateral relations as “developing on a positive track.” The two countries established ties in 1992.
He referred to the presence of major Korean companies such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor and railway vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Rotem, as well as bilateral trade turnover that jumped by more than 21 percent to $764 million in 2018.
This year, POSCO International acquired a 75 percent stake in a grain export terminal in the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv, while GS Engineering & Construction secured two solar power plant projects worth $24 million in southwestern Ukraine.
“I would also like to praise the important role of leading Korean corporations,” Horin said.
Thanks to the popularity of Korean pop culture, an increasing number of Ukrainians including diplomats are learning Korean at a language center in the capital Kiev.
In July, the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science officially listed Korean as a second foreign language.
On the parliamentary and diplomatic levels, Korea had a visit of then-Ukraine First Vice Prime Minister Stepan Kubiv in April 2018 and then-Ukraine parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy in December of the same year.
In May 2019, the foreign ministries of the two countries held their 8th Policy Consultations meeting in Seoul.
Horin expressed hope for accelerated people-to-people exchanges, especially with a possible visa waiver program from the Korean side.
Ukraine has been offering visa exemptions for Korean visitors since 2006.
Meanwhile, the reception drew other ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps plus the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Yoon Soon-gu, who chaired the 8th Policy Consultations.
Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Olexander Horin, right, proposes a toast with Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoon Soon-gu during a reception to mark the 28th anniversary of Ukrainian Independence Day at the JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul hotel in Seoul, Sept. 17. / Korea Times photo by Yi Whan-woo
In his congratulatory speech, Yoon highlighted the two countries’ similar historical experiences of being surrounded by big powers yet preserving their national identity.
He underlined Ukraine’s “great potential” with its abundant natural resources, minerals and steel as well as advancements in aerospace and renewable energy.
The country is also dubbed as “Europe’s breadbasket” for its fertile soil, suitable grain-growing climate and rich agricultural products.
In 2018, the total amount of grain produced nationwide amounted to 70 million tons, of which 45 million tons were exported to other parts of Europe.
Yoon said bilateral developments have been expanding to science, technology, and research and development.
“With Korea and Ukraine working together, I believe we can accomplish more. The Korean government will put forward its utmost efforts to further strengthen the friendly cooperation between Korea and Ukraine,” Yoon said.
Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrates the country’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union on Aug. 24, 1991.