Korean Embassy hosts National Day Reception 2019

Korean Ambassador Lee Heon makes a toast with Chief Guest Ports and Shipping, and Southern Development Minister Sagala Ratnayaka 

Heon and Jihae

Following is the speech given by Korean Ambassador in Sri Lanka Lee Heon at the National Day Reception 2019 held recently

Honourable Minister Sagala Ratnayaka, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you all for attending the National Day Reception. I am very proud and

Chief Guest Ports and Shipping and Southern Development Minister  Sagala Ratnayaka

Korean Ambassador Lee Heon

honoured to host the National Day of the Republic of Korea reception in Sri Lanka, where I started my diplomatic career exactly 20 years ago. 

Since then, the bilateral relations between Korea and Sri Lanka have greatly evolved, marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 2017. Our cooperative relations have been extended to all areas including politics, economy, development cooperation, labour, culture, etc. 

Sri Lanka has been truly a good friend of Korea on a whole range of issues, sharing common values and goals. The State visit of His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena in 2017 and the visit of Honourable Karu Jayasuriya last year well exemplify our strengthened partnerships and cooperation. 

These visits have certainly provided new momentum for further high-level official exchanges and helped to consolidate the relationship between two countries. I am once again taking this opportunity to thank all of you who committed to deepening our friendship. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I would also like to express my deepest condolences on the victims of the Easter bombings. It was an appalling terror attack that left behind hundreds of innocent victims. All the people around the world stood with Sri Lankan people at the heart-breaking news. 

Korean hearts and thoughts were also with Sri Lanka. President Moon Jae-in, Speaker Moon Hee-sang, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha have delivered their condolences to the Government and people of Sri Lanka respectively.   

I was confident that Sri Lanka would overcome the scars of the terror attacks, just like it had overcome the hardships of the Civil War. Last few months I have witnessed that brave Sri Lankan people struggle to bring the society back to the normalcy. I would also like to show my respect for those who have done their best to overcome the Easter terror and the scars that it left. The people and Government of the Republic of Korea are ready to stand by our close friend Sri Lanka. 

Ladies and gentlemen, boosting bilateral trade and investment of both countries might be one of good ways for Korean Ambassador to help not only Sri Lanka but also Korea. Our two countries have seen a gradual development of economic and trade cooperation over the decades. 

As Sri Lanka began to restore its peace and stability, more and more Korean companies and tourists are coming to Sri Lanka either to seek business opportunities or to enjoy the charm and beauty of the island. Currently, public and private sectors of both countries are engaging more actively to seek effective ways to move forward in various fields such as sustainable energy, ICT and eco-friendly water management. I firmly believe that the strengthened public and private partnership would pave the way to further consolidate our strong bilateral ties. 

Moreover, the ongoing labour cooperation is the key to the economic development of both countries in a way to contribute to the mutual benefits. Approximately 30,000 strong and diligent Sri Lankan workers dispatched to Korea function as a bridge for connecting our countries as well. Indeed even after returning home, they have kept favourable interests in Korea and helped to raise the awareness among the general public.

Such favourable interests might have resulted from their living experience in Korea. To make sure that the workers should not be discriminated whether they are from Korea, Sri Lanka, or any other country, Korean Government strictly applies the rule of ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work to all the workers, regardless of their nationality’. 

Social security system including national health care insurance is also open for immigrant workers. I am very confident the strong labour cooperation would be beneficial to both countries, deepening the friendship of our two countries. 

Development cooperation has also been a defining feature of our bilateral ties. Indeed, Sri Lanka is now one of the top ‘priority partner countries’ of Korea. Korea has the unique experience and knowhow to transform itself from aid recipient to aid donor. 

Korea wishes its unique experience be common experience by sharing its knowhow with partner countries. The sum of the investment in various ODA projects and Grants for Sri Lanka since 1987 is over $ 600 million. In 2017 alone $ 15 million was allotted to Grant and 4.5 million to ODA in Sri Lanka. 

KOICA also has sent thousands of Sri Lankan to Korea for training in various areas including administration, education, and so on since 1991. This year only, more than 100 Sri Lankans were dispatched to Korea by KOICA. 

Furthermore, Exim Bank of Korea has supported the establishment of Ocean University, the largest vocational training project of Sri Lanka. Recently Exim Bank increased the funding for Ocean University by another $ 30 million to make total $ 80 million. As a reliable middle power, Korea is a trustworthy partner for Sri Lanka to meet the current and future needs of national development. 

Distinguished guests, as we are here to celebrate the National Day of the Republic of Korea, I would like to briefly share the meaning of the founding principle of Korea ‘Hongik Ingan’. Literally it means ‘Benefit to All Mankind’. It symbolises the values such as liberal democracy and international pacifism. 

Based on such spirits, the Korean Government tries to bring peace and prosperity to the Korean peninsula in close cooperation with international society. Last year was quite memorable because PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games and Paralympics were successfully held with the participation of North Korean athletes. 

After the games, dialogue and peace-building process have replaced tension and confrontation. A series of historic summits between two Koreas, as well as the summit between the US and North Korea marked historic milestone for positive peace developments on the Korean peninsula. 

As President Moon Jae-in emphasised in his UN speech last month, decisions made by President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong Un at the previous summit provided the momentum behind the dramatic change in the situation on Korean Peninsula. 

I firmly believe that the momentum on the Korean peninsula will continue and as a result denuclearised and peaceful Korean peninsula will facilitate the regional peace and prosperity as well. The Korean Government is grateful to the Government and peace-loving people of Sri Lanka for supporting our policy on the issue.

In conclusion, I would appreciate again all of you for honouring us with your presence. As the Korean Ambassador in Sri Lanka, I reiterate my sincere willingness to do my best to upgrade our bilateral relationship. I am convinced that in the years ahead our two countries will reach the new horizons of cooperation, and friendship between Korea and Sri Lanka will further grow. 

Pix by Ruwan Walpola