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| A delegation from Uzbekistan discuss the Central Asian country's constitutional reform during their visit to Korea at Lotte Hotel Seoul, July 20. Courtesy of Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
A delegation from Uzbekistan visited Korea last week to discuss the details of Uzbekistan's constitutional reforms with Korean experts. The latter supported the Central Asian country's moves to promote human rights and strengthen democracy.
Eom Gu-ho, a professor of Russian Studies at Hanyang University Graduate School of International Studies and director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center, noted that the constitutional reforms of Uzbekistan are based on procedural legitimacy.
"During the constitutional reforms, the constitutional commission received over 60,000 proposals from the people of Uzbekistan and the constitutional amendments will be finalized by a referendum," Eom said.
"It signals that the constitutional reforms meet procedural justifications and the changes chart a roadmap for Uzbekistan becoming a leading democratic country."
Eom mentioned the four main pillars of the reforms: elevating human dignity, pursuing a welfare state, developing a free and fair civil society and promoting a law-governed country.
As one of the few countries that have special strategic relations with Korea, Eom spoke highly of Uzbekistan pushing for constitutional changes despite the difficult international situation, including Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
"I believe that these constitutional reforms will bring Uzbekistan a step further not only in terms of economic growth but also as a democratic country," Eom said.
Byun Hyun-sub of the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation said the cooperative platform between Korea and Uzbekistan represents a successful case in Central Asia.
"When President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev began his second term last year, he presented a development strategy targeting 2026, including economic cooperation," Byun said.
"The constitutional reforms could build a better foundation for economic development as well as democratization, and Korea and Uzbekistan could cooperate further in new fields such as the digital economy and electric vehicle production," Byun said.
Kim Chang-keon, the executive vice president of the Korea Uzbekistan Business Association, said he has witnessed epoch-making changes and the rapid development of Uzbekistan as he runs businesses bridging Korea and Uzbekistan.
"As a person who has businesses in Uzbekistan, I feel the changes in Uzbekistan," Kim said.
"We believe that the constitutional reforms will open up Uzbekistan more, propelling the country to be the center of the New Silk Road," Kim continued.
From Uzbekistan, Sodiq Safoev, the first deputy chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis (parliament), led the delegation, which included Viktor Pak, a member of the Constitutional Commission and member of the Committee on Budget and Economic Reforms of the parliament, and Uzbek lawmaker Mukhtabar Khusanova, also a member of the Constitutional Commission.
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