By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

 

Tashkent, Uzbekistan—Publisher-Chairman Lee Jon-young of Diplomacy Journal and UN Journal, visited Uzbekistan to cover 2024 Uzbekistan Parliamentary Elections at the invitation of the Uzbek government through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul, the Republic of Korea. –Ed. 

 

 

A report analyzing Uzbekistan's constitutional amendments and elections and its relations with South Korea.

 

1. Opinion on the first election after the constitutional amendment in Uzbekistan

Constitutional amendments were made in Uzbekistan last year, and this election is the first election held after the amendments. This election is an important opportunity to ask the will of the people for the first time under the new constitution, and is an important reference point for assessing the direction of development and social changes in the political system of Uzbekistan. 

One of the main goals of the revised constitution is to strengthen the institutional foundations for political and social openness and development, which is likely to lead to an expansion of people's rights and freedoms. We hope that these elections will be a catalyst for positive changes in Uzbekistan's society.

 

 

2. Assessment of the relationship between Uzbekistan and South Korea

 

Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea have enjoyed close cooperation in various fields, including economy, education, and culture. South Korea is one of the major investors in Uzbekistan, and many cooperation projects are underway, especially in the fields of construction, manufacturing, IT, etc. 

As strategic partners, the two countries are exploring various ways of cooperation for mutual economic development, especially in areas such as labor migration and technology exchange. These cooperative relations have contributed greatly to promoting mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

 

 

3. Views on the differences between the election processes in Uzbekistan and South Korea

 

There are several differences between the election processes in South Korea and Uzbekistan. South Korea operates an advanced electronic voting system and is well equipped with various legal mechanisms to ensure the transparency and fairness of the election process. 

 

Uzbekistan, on the other hand, has been making efforts to improve the transparency and efficiency of its electoral process since the recent constitutional amendments, but it still needs to develop its institutional framework compared to South Korea. However, this election demonstrates Uzbekistan's willingness to adopt a more advanced electoral system.

4. Plans to write an article about Koreans living in Uzbekistan

 

I am planning to write an article about Koreans living in Uzbekistan. Koreans living in Uzbekistan are engaged in various professional activities and social contributions in the country and play an important role in strengthening exchanges between Uzbek society and Korea. They are also contributing to cultural understanding between the two countries, and an article about their lives and experiences will contribute to a better understanding of Uzbekistan for Korean readers.

 

 

5. Assessing gender equality in Uzbekistan

 

Uzbekistan has introduced several policies for gender equality, but there is still much room for improvement. In recent years, the Uzbek government has endeavored to increase the social role of women and has implemented policies to expand women's educational and employment opportunities; however, in practice, the division of social roles by gender remains strong, and women's political participation remains low. Continued social attention and policy improvements to address gender equality issues are needed.

 

6. Assessing progress in labor and immigration cooperation

 

Korea and Uzbekistan continue to have active cooperation in the field of labor migration, which has had a positive impact on both countries. Uzbek workers can accumulate skills and economic resources through working in Korea, which can also contribute to Uzbekistan's economic development. 

 

Labor and immigration cooperation between the two countries has the potential to be further developed in the future, which will require continued consultation and institutional improvements between the two governments.

 

7. Promoting educational and cultural exchanges

 

Uzbekistan and South Korea can promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchanges. To this end, it is necessary to first expand student and teacher exchange programs between the two countries and further activate exchange programs in the field of culture and arts. Introducing the Korean education model to Uzbekistan would also be an option, giving Uzbek students the opportunity to experience the country's excellent education system. Continued cultural exchanges between the two countries will help both countries  understand each other's cultures.