ID :
183705
Mon, 05/23/2011 - 04:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/183705
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Focus shifts to economy from inter-Korean rivalry as father-son diplomats woo Africa
By Kim Hyeh-won
Contributing Writer
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- While North Korea is drawing global attention with another father-to-son power succession, a South Korean diplomat is quietly preparing to walk in the very footsteps of his father in Africa where the rival Koreas once waged a fierce diplomatic battle.
Park Jong-Dae, 51, spent much of his middle school years in Uganda while his father served as counselor at the South Korean Embassy there in the early 1970s. Park is returning to the country as charge d'affaires of the South Korean Embassy, which was closed in 1994 but will reopen soon. He is expected to serve as the ambassador when the embassy formally reopens.
"My father worked under difficult situations and I am lucky that I won't have such problems," Park said in an interview before leaving Seoul last week, recalling the harsh war of nerves South Korea waged against North Korea to win the hearts of African people decades ago.
A graduate of Seoul's Yonsei University, Park joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1991. He and his father Park Young-Chul, a former Korean ambassador to Malawi, are the first father-son diplomats in South Korea.
Park stressed that African countries are not what they used to be in terms of economic development. Uganda's economy, in particular, has grown at an annual pace of 8 to 9 percent over the past few years, he said.
"It's a good thing that we are reopening our embassy now in Uganda before it gets too late. I personally think that the embassy should not have been closed," he said. The South Korean Embassy in Uganda was closed as Seoul was streamlining its diplomatic frontlines for efficiency and cost saving.
Park's duty in Uganda will be much different from his father's due to the changes that have reshaped international politics as well as South Korea's diplomatic focus over the past decade or so.
In the 1970s, Africa was an arena of severe competition for legitimacy between South and North Korea. Both needed its votes at the United Nations. In Uganda, competition began in full in December of 1972 when North Korea opened its embassy. A year later, the Park family arrived.
Today, North Korea, one of the world's poorest countries, simply can't compete with South Korea in the world of diplomacy. South Korea has grown to be a donor nation, while North Korea depends on international aid to help feed its people.
In his new post, Park is bracing for many difficulties. He has to start from the scratch by acquiring buildings for the embassy, and establish networks with Korean enterprises and residents in the country.
"It is a challenge to set up an embassy in Africa, but I personally believe Korea's international status in the future will be much more dependent upon its diplomacy toward developing countries," he said.
Park is moving to Uganda from Rome where he served as counselor at the South Korean Embassy. He volunteered for the African job, believing that he is more prepared than others to go there.
Park, who once served in Cote d'Ivoire, said his willingness to serve in Africa is also related to his extensive background in the studies of developing countries. While working at the presidential office from 2004 to 2006, he visited many developing countries.
A Ph.D. holder from Kyungnam University of Korea in 2009, Park is an advocate of what he called South Korea's "soft-power" foreign policy approach to developing countries.
"We have many resources of soft power distinctly Korean in nature, including development experience, which appeals more to developing countries than to developed nations," he said.
Park wants to put into practice his theories while working in Uganda. He said he will seek diversified and creative ways to strengthen relations with Uganda in all respects, including a maximum utilization of Korea's Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs.
In Uganda, for example, South Korea can be of help in many areas like installing road signs and participating in a joint exploration of minerals, to mention just a few, he said.
"Big Korean enterprises are starting to show interest in setting up businesses in Uganda although only small- and medium-sized companies are working there now," he said.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), a government organization offering foreign aid that opened its office in Kampala late last year, could help his "soft-power" diplomacy, he said.
"Uganda is a beautiful country with great potential. It not only has abundant minerals but also rich soil suitable for agriculture," Park observed. "Moreover, it is now working toward starting commercial production of its oil and gas reserves. And the country has the holiday weather year round."
Park said his local friends from Agakhan School, a secondary school in Kampala, may also help him with his diplomatic activities. He fondly remembers the happy life he and his three brothers enjoyed in Uganda.
"The school had a good lab facility, which helped me get interested in science," he recollected.
Park said he will try to find his classmates when he arrives in the country.
"Since Agakhan was a prestigious school, I am sure many of my classmates are playing important roles in society now. They can help me with my work," he said.
More than anything else, Park said, he is excited about the idea of bringing his 78-year-old father and brothers to Uganda some day for a family reunion.
"It would be something extraordinary, wouldn't it," he said with a laugh.
Contributing Writer
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- While North Korea is drawing global attention with another father-to-son power succession, a South Korean diplomat is quietly preparing to walk in the very footsteps of his father in Africa where the rival Koreas once waged a fierce diplomatic battle.
Park Jong-Dae, 51, spent much of his middle school years in Uganda while his father served as counselor at the South Korean Embassy there in the early 1970s. Park is returning to the country as charge d'affaires of the South Korean Embassy, which was closed in 1994 but will reopen soon. He is expected to serve as the ambassador when the embassy formally reopens.
"My father worked under difficult situations and I am lucky that I won't have such problems," Park said in an interview before leaving Seoul last week, recalling the harsh war of nerves South Korea waged against North Korea to win the hearts of African people decades ago.
A graduate of Seoul's Yonsei University, Park joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1991. He and his father Park Young-Chul, a former Korean ambassador to Malawi, are the first father-son diplomats in South Korea.
Park stressed that African countries are not what they used to be in terms of economic development. Uganda's economy, in particular, has grown at an annual pace of 8 to 9 percent over the past few years, he said.
"It's a good thing that we are reopening our embassy now in Uganda before it gets too late. I personally think that the embassy should not have been closed," he said. The South Korean Embassy in Uganda was closed as Seoul was streamlining its diplomatic frontlines for efficiency and cost saving.
Park's duty in Uganda will be much different from his father's due to the changes that have reshaped international politics as well as South Korea's diplomatic focus over the past decade or so.
In the 1970s, Africa was an arena of severe competition for legitimacy between South and North Korea. Both needed its votes at the United Nations. In Uganda, competition began in full in December of 1972 when North Korea opened its embassy. A year later, the Park family arrived.
Today, North Korea, one of the world's poorest countries, simply can't compete with South Korea in the world of diplomacy. South Korea has grown to be a donor nation, while North Korea depends on international aid to help feed its people.
In his new post, Park is bracing for many difficulties. He has to start from the scratch by acquiring buildings for the embassy, and establish networks with Korean enterprises and residents in the country.
"It is a challenge to set up an embassy in Africa, but I personally believe Korea's international status in the future will be much more dependent upon its diplomacy toward developing countries," he said.
Park is moving to Uganda from Rome where he served as counselor at the South Korean Embassy. He volunteered for the African job, believing that he is more prepared than others to go there.
Park, who once served in Cote d'Ivoire, said his willingness to serve in Africa is also related to his extensive background in the studies of developing countries. While working at the presidential office from 2004 to 2006, he visited many developing countries.
A Ph.D. holder from Kyungnam University of Korea in 2009, Park is an advocate of what he called South Korea's "soft-power" foreign policy approach to developing countries.
"We have many resources of soft power distinctly Korean in nature, including development experience, which appeals more to developing countries than to developed nations," he said.
Park wants to put into practice his theories while working in Uganda. He said he will seek diversified and creative ways to strengthen relations with Uganda in all respects, including a maximum utilization of Korea's Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs.
In Uganda, for example, South Korea can be of help in many areas like installing road signs and participating in a joint exploration of minerals, to mention just a few, he said.
"Big Korean enterprises are starting to show interest in setting up businesses in Uganda although only small- and medium-sized companies are working there now," he said.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), a government organization offering foreign aid that opened its office in Kampala late last year, could help his "soft-power" diplomacy, he said.
"Uganda is a beautiful country with great potential. It not only has abundant minerals but also rich soil suitable for agriculture," Park observed. "Moreover, it is now working toward starting commercial production of its oil and gas reserves. And the country has the holiday weather year round."
Park said his local friends from Agakhan School, a secondary school in Kampala, may also help him with his diplomatic activities. He fondly remembers the happy life he and his three brothers enjoyed in Uganda.
"The school had a good lab facility, which helped me get interested in science," he recollected.
Park said he will try to find his classmates when he arrives in the country.
"Since Agakhan was a prestigious school, I am sure many of my classmates are playing important roles in society now. They can help me with my work," he said.
More than anything else, Park said, he is excited about the idea of bringing his 78-year-old father and brothers to Uganda some day for a family reunion.
"It would be something extraordinary, wouldn't it," he said with a laugh.
