By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Korea and Pakistan last Thursday inaugurated a new friendship association in Seoul to promote closer economic, cultural and academic ties between the two countries.
The association will be based in Myongji University, and will be run and administered by Koreans. Oh Jae-hi, the first Korean ambassador to Pakistan (1983 to 1984), was named chairman.
``Non-governmental and non-profit organizations are increasingly playing a larger role in promoting friendly international relations.’’ said Oh in his inaugural statement.
The newly launched association is expected to bring together Koreans from academia to media to business with the local Pakistani community. It will also facilitate study abroad programs between Korean and Pakistani universities.
Pakistani Ambassador to Seoul Masood Khalid believes that the association will become a bridge connecting Korea and Pakistan even closer together and is certain it will promote cultural and commercial business ties between the two countries.
The association plans to hold exhibitions and seminars, as well as conferences and seminars. It will also publish newsletters so that members can learn more about Pakistan and businesses will be better informed about opportunities there.
Members of the association include former Korean diplomats, Korean and Pakistani businessmen and professors.
Members of the Korea Mountaineer Association will also be part of the organization, as Pakistan boasts K-2, the second highest mountain in the world.
``In a world where globalization advances as fast as digital technology, mutual dependence among countries is most pertinent,’’ said Oh. ``Longtime allies especially need, in addition to economic partnership, socio-cultural cooperation.
According to Oh, Korea and Pakistan share historical and cultural ties that date back a long while. ``During the early years following Korea’s birth as a nation, Pakistan gave much support through the United Nations,’’ he said.
Pakistan provided generous financial aid during the 1950-53 Korean War, and Mahbub ul Haq, a Pakistani economist working at the World Bank, guided Korea’s five-year economic plan at the time.
Due to the international political climate, official diplomatic relations were not normalized until 1983. Since then, however, the two countries have enjoyed rapid progress in cultural, economic and political exchanges.
Today, Korea and Pakistan have about 26 bilateral agreements in science and technology, commercial investment and culture. There are currently about 200 Pakistani students studying at Korea’s top universities.