Uzbekistan's long-serving ambassador to Korea dies at 77

Vitaliy Fen, Uzbekistan's ambassador to Korea, who contributed to strengthening bilateral relations over his 20-year tenure as a diplomat, has died at the age of 77.

Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Korea Vitaliy Fen / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

According to the Uzbek foreign ministry, Wednesday, Fen passed away on Tuesday in Uzbekistan after battling a chronic illness.

Reportedly, Fen returned to Uzbekistan for diplomatic duties and medical treatment, but his condition worsened, leading to his passing.

Fen, who is of Korean descent, began his diplomatic career as charge d'affaires of the Uzbek Embassy in 1995 and was promoted to ambassador in 1999. He played a pivotal role in fostering bilateral relations for over a decade.

He also served as the dean of the diplomatic corps in Seoul, representing foreign ambassadors, for seven years.

During his initial term, the leaders of Uzbekistan and Korea conducted eight mutual visits and nine summits, significantly advancing the strategic partnership between the two countries.

After his first term, Fen returned to Uzbekistan but was reappointed as ambassador to Korea in 2017. An embassy official stated that his reappointment aimed to further strengthen the cooperative and friendly relations between Seoul and Tashkent.

Fen’s return was particularly significant as it coincided with the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, both of which had newly elected presidents at the time.

In 2014, he was honored with the Order of Fidokorona Khizmatlari Uchun for his dedicated service and the Order of Mehnat Shukhrati for his contributions to labor. Additionally, he received the Korean Order of Gwangwha from the Korean government for his efforts in strengthening the alliance between Uzbekistan and Korea.

Fluent in Korean, which he learned by watching Korean dramas, Fen frequently expressed his affection for Korea at various events and in interviews.

His grandparents were forced to move to the Soviet Union during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910 to 1945). They initially settled in Vladivostok but were deported in 1937 to the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, where Fen was later born in Tashkent.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan expressed deep sorrow over Fen's passing.

Expressing sincere condolences through an official statement, the ministry described him as an outstanding statesman, master of sports and professional diplomat who dedicated his life to serving his country.

"He left an indelible mark on the strengthening of Uzbekistan-Korea ties," it added.