By Kim Se-jeong
Staff Reporter
Just as musicians and artists are often moved by strong admiration and love for someone to create their works, the ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Korea was greatly inspired by the country's president to publish a book about him.
Ambassador Hector Galvan's high regard for President Leonel Fernandez shines through as he states with eyes gleaming, ``I admire him.''
The many photos of the President and framed news stories about him in the hallway at the embassy and his office were also indicative of the ambassador's sentiments toward his country's leader.
The book, titled ``La Vision del Presidente Leonel Fernandez (Vision of the President Leonel Fernandez),'' is a product of Galvan's collection of speeches and remarks made during the past two years.
He said the idea for the book was something that grew from wanting to ``have some specific guidelines to establish my diplomatic agenda in Korea. I was searching for ways on how to help my president and my country (while) serving in Korea.''
Despite the distance and time difference between Korea and the Dominican Republic, Galvan said, modern technology didn't hinder him from making the collection.
It was earlier this year that the ambassador determined to put together a book. This is the second book on the President.
As a personal friend as well as a colleague, Galvan hopes to promote the president's visions and ideas through the book, dismissing potential speculation that publishing the book would just serve their friendship. ``I like his policy and what he does to improve the country.''
Struggling for prosperity as a nation, economic growth has been all-time priority of the presidents in Dominican Republic and Fernandez brought the Dominican Republic to enjoy its highest economic growth from 1996 through 2000 when he served his first term.
When President Hipolito Mejia from the opposition party came into power in 2001, the economy turned negative, and the Dominican Republic wished for the economic leader Fernandez's return in the next election, according to the ambassador.
The ambassador pointed to a report showing consistent growth rates of 7 or 8 percent during Fernandez's term, while the next president saw less than 5 percent annual growth, and 0.4 below zero in 2003. ``People believe he does better than other presidents. You can see the numbers.''
According to the CIA World Fact book in 2006, the Dominican Republic had a per capita gross domestic product of $8,400, compared to Korea's $24,500. Despite the growing economy, high unemployment of nearly 16 percent and inflation still pose great challenges to the economy.
With another presidential election next year, Fernandez has more than 40 percent of the population's support, the ambassador said.
The book will provide a close look on the Dominican Republic president's philosophy, principles in national development, foreign affairs, energy and transportation, and market economy and competitiveness.
Attending the publication ceremony held at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Friday were Chilean Ambassador Adolfo Carafi Melero and Shin Jeong-whan, director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the school.
Melero, who personally met Fernandez last year remembers hi patriotism and humanity. "He is a great leader, not just a great president," Melero said.
The book is only available in Spanish, yet a Korean translation will be available soon.
The ceremony on Friday was the second following the one in July when he celebrated it with the president in Santo Domingo, the capital, he said. In December, the ambassador will make a book tour to New York and Miami.
Asked about promoting his book to a Korean audience, the ambassador answered it was a strategic approach to increase awareness of Dominican Republic in Korea, to which it had sent $10,000 worth of aid five decades ago during the Korea War.
But now, the ambassador said, Korea has become a model case for Dominican Republic as it strives for prosperity.
Also, ``there are many fields that Korea and Dominican Republic could work closely together in, especially in trading and e-government,'' Galvan said, adding that President Fernandez also puts the greatest emphasis on the e-learning sector.
President Fernandez visited Korea last year, during which he showed strong interest in the IT industry.