DILI, 10 november 2022 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste and the Embassy of South Korea in Dili celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations and Korea National Day to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.
In his speech at the Reception Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, South Korean Ambassador to Timor-Leste, KIM Jeong-Ho said that over the past 20 years, Korea has stood beside Timor-Leste, and Timor-Leste has continued to stand by Korea’s side.
“Friendship is not a give-and-take relationship, but a relationship with mutual trust, sharing the same values, and pursuing the same vision. Timor-Leste and Korea have been unchanging friends in the international community for the past two decades,” Ambassador Kim said at Hotel Timor, in Dili.
He said prior to Timor-Leste’s independence, the Republic of Korea kept Timor-Leste safe by dispatching the Evergreen Troops to Timor-Leste.
“Since then, through KOICA, the Korean government has been proceeding with various development projects worth about US$110 million for enhancing education and health, providing nutrition to children, eradicating illiteracy, improving gender conditions, and increasing rural profits in Timor-Leste,” Kim said.
Moreover, since the introduction of the Employment Permit System in 2009, about 5,200 Timorese workers have been sent to Korea contributing to the Korean industry, and also contributing to the increase in foreign currency income in Timor-Leste. The number of those workers is increasing every year, and it has already surpassed 1,000 this year alone.
“I would like to take this opportunity to introduce some initiatives that the Korean government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are focusing on. First of all, the government of the Republic of Korea intends to hold the 2030 World EXPO in Busan, Korea’s largest port and second city, under the slogan of “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future,” said Ambassador.
Ambassador congratulated the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Korea and Timor-Leste: “I sincerely hope that we can keep our friendship strong and grow even more wonderfully in the upcoming new 20 years.”
At the same place, the President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta, said that the diplomatic relation between South Korea and Timor-Leste is getting stronger: “We hope the South Korean investors would invest in Timor-Leste by establishing factories in order to contribute to the national development and job creation.”
He said that South Korea and Timor-Leste have the same experiences as both countries have experienced various colonializations.
“I hope our bilateral ties will be strengthened tonight with the presence of the South Korean companies. While, more and more young Timorese will be interested in learning the Korean language and may go to work in South Korea in the future,” he said.
On the occasion, Timor-Leste and South Korea also celebrated the Korean National Foundation Day, and the Korean Alphabet Day.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Nelia Borges