Happy 40th Anniversary
THE year 2023 marks the 40-year ties of the diplomatic relations between Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Republic of Korea. The time is right to look back at the historical journey of the two friendly countries and ponder on the way forward. Pakistan takes pride on its historical heritage of “Indus Civilization” along with Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain ranges while Korea possesses an equally rich history of well over 5,000 years. It is pertinent to mention that historical ties between the two countries go beyond 1,600 years when monk “Marananta” of this region introduced Buddhism in the Korean Peninsula in the 4th century.
Living in the world where bilateral, regional and international relations are largely decided on economic gains and flourish on common benefits, and considering tremendous economic growth of Korea in record time, commonly known as “Miracle of the Han River”, it’s high time to address the low trade volume (far lower than the potential)along with rising trade deficit between the two countries. While the policy makers on both sides have their work cut out to figure out ways to enhance the economic ties, let’s focus on some of the practical measure that can help to celebrate the milestone in a befitting manner.
First, designate the road in front of the Korean embassy (or elsewhere in Islamabad) as “Sejong Road” and propose Korean government to reciprocate by naming a road as “Jinnah Road” or “Iqbal Road” in the capital city of Seoul.
Second, to ensure people-to-people diplomacy, outreach activities like “Korean Language Speech Contest”, “Quiz on Korea”, K-Pop Festival”, “Hangul Day”, “Hanbok Fashion Show”, “Korean Cuisine”, “Archery Workshop”, “Taekwondo Classes”, “Korean Calligraphy” etc should be arranged at a grand scale in Pakistan. And, Pakistan embassy in Seoul should also conduct similar outreach activities in Korea with special focus on “Gandhara Civilization”. I am sure the patriotic and vibrant ‘Pakistani business community’ will play their due role in supporting and sponsoring these events.
Third, Korean Government should provide a few scholarships to Pakistani students who already possess an intermediate level of Korean proficiency (TOPIK-3 or above as accepted by most of the Korean universities) and give them a chance to excel in Korean language and culture-related majors. Provision of scholarships for degree program would be ideal but even short language courses for a few months would be a great initiative.
Fourth, establish an “Urdu Chair” preferably in some language university like ‘Hankuk University of Foreign Studies’ (HUFS). Fifth, efforts are over-due to start operating direct flights between the two countries. Number of visa applications in both embassies must be analyzed to provide a tangible and concrete data, and considering around 15,000 Pakistani Diaspora residing in Korea, operating direct flights is imperative. Sixth, procedural complications and red tape hurdles in Pakistan must be avoided to provide business-friendly and hassle-free environment to Korean companies, businesses and investors etc.
Last but not the least, both ambassadors, Excellency Suh Sangpyo and Excellency Nabeel Munir need to be in regular touch to explore, cooperate, facilitate and ensure enhancement of bilateral ties. Recent increase in Pakistan’s quota of manpower export to 4,000 workers per year is a refreshing and praiseworthy step, and officials of both OEC Pakistan and HRD Korea deserve much credit for their efforts. Furthermore, Korean Embassy in Islamabad must keep a close and cordial working relation with National University of Modern Languages (NUML) and utilize the expertise and services of a fully functional ‘Department of Korean Language and Culture’ along with ‘Islamabad King Sejong institute’.
—The writer is Director at Islamabad King Sejong institute.
