By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

 

“One of the most effective ways of interaction between Turkiye and Korea is tourism. 150,039 South Koreans visited our country in 2023 and 134,715 in the first eight months of 2024. These figures are indeed far below the potential of our friendly and brotherly countries at the two ends of Asia,” said Amb. H.E. Murat Tamer of the Republic of Turkiye to Korea on Oct. 29.

 

Delivering opening remarks at the Turkish National Day reception on the occasion of the 101st anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkiye held at Ambassador Pullman Hotel in Seoul, Amb. Tamer said, “Turkish Airlines, which has the world's largest network of destinations, operates 11 flights a week between Seoul and Istanbul, increasing to 22 with Korean carriers.”

 

 

He stressed, “I hope that Turkish Airlines, our flag carrier, will be given the necessary permissions to operate more flights between Türkiye and Korea, which will enable more tourists to visit our countries and get closer our two friendly and brotherly peoples as well.”

 

Noting that a large number of high-level military visits reciprocally took place this year, Amb. Tamer said, “Our warship TCG Kınalıada, which was produced with domestic and national capabilities, made a very successful port visit to Busan last June, and our defense industry products were exhibited on this occasion.”

 

He added, “Turkish and Korean companies have recently undertaken many mega projects, many of which have been successfully completed and delivered ahead of their schedule.”

 

More than 500 guests, including foreign ambassadors and senior diplomats from the Foreign Diplomatic Corps in Korea, Korean government officials and other local and international dignitaries, attended the gala event.

 

From the Korean side, Kwon Ki-hwan, Global Multilateral Diplomacy Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, delivered a congratulatory speech.

 

 

The following is the excerpts of the opening remarks by Amb. H.E. Murat Tamer of Turkiye to Korea. –Ed. 

 

His Excellency Deputy Minister, 
My dear colleagues Ambassadors, 
Dear guests and friends,

 

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful evening with us, Last year we celebrated the 100th anniversary of our Republic. Today is Türkiye 101.

 

We are on the right path. Comparing with the last year, we have achieved many things, politically, socially and economically. We are stronger with our friends and partners. So stay with us, be with us. If you kindly allow me I would like to continue in Turkish from now on. 

Distinguished guests, today we are indeed in a state of great excitement and enthusiasm.

 

The Republic of Türkiye, founded by the Great Atatürk, is exactly 101 years old. Congratulations and cheers for many more centuries.

 

During the first anniversary of the Century of Türkiye, which we have begun last year under the leadership of our President H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we are taking firm steps forward on the path of contemporary civilization drawn up by Great Atatürk.

 

With the strength we draw from our past, we look to our future with confidence. Because the history of the Turkish nation can not measured in years or centuries, but in millennials.

 

The Republic of Türkiye, which celebrates its 101st anniversary today, acts with such great historical accumulation and experience, and fulfills the requirements of the strength, trust and responsibility entrusted  to us by our Geography of Heart extending from Central Asia to the Balkans, from Africa to the Gulf. 

 

Korea, where we gave nearly 1000 martyrs for its democracy and freedom, is a very special country and Koreans are a very dear nation to us. The relations between Turks and Koreans go back to not just 70 years, but about 1500 years.

 

Our peoples have lived side by side, together and in peace  and harmony for many years in the steppes of Central Asia, in the northern lands. And even thousand years ago Koreans were highly skilled in steel and iron, so the Turks got their swords, shields and spears made by the Koreans and fought against our common enemies.

 

This is why the heroic Mehmetçik, which is the historical common name for Turkish soldiers, defended this land and its people as if it were their own homeland, and despite the nearly 1,000 martyrs, they have always been proud of contributing to the freedom and independence of a long time friendly and brotherly nation.

 

History repeats itself. Today, we are developing and strengthening our Defense Industry together with our Korean friends. Also in international platforms, we act together in mutual respect and trust, and we strengthen each other.

 

Today, as one of the world's most modern, democratic and liberal countries and one of the world's ten largest economies, Korea has won the admiration of everyone and its soft power has won the love of young and old alike.

 

We are also proud of the achievements of our blood brothers. The Republic of Türkiye has also made extraordinary progress in its first century, has become one of the world's leading countries with its democracy, industry, economy and other development endeavors. Türkiye has supported the poor, oppressed, and orphaned and those in difficult situations regardless of their religion, language, race and color, not only in its region but also anywhere in the world. Our country has always stood on the side of the righteousness and justice, and has reassured its friends as a strong and just state and as “someone for those who have no one”.

 

The cooperation of the two friendly and brotherly countries in every field has continuously increased in the last 70 years, our trade volume has reached almost 11 billion dollars as of 2023, and our political, commercial and military relations as well as our tourism  have gained great momentum.

 

One of the most effective ways of interaction is tourism. 150,039 South Koreans visited our country in 2023 and 134,715 in the first eight months of 2024. These figures are indeed far below the potential of our friendly and brotherly countries at the two ends of Asia.  

 

Turkish Airlines, which has the world's largest network of destinations, operates 11 flights a week between Seoul and Istanbul, increasing to 22 with Korean carriers.

 

Our expectation is that Turkish Airlines, our flag carrier, will be given the necessary permissions to operate more flights between Türkiye and Korea, which will enable more tourists to visit our countries and get closer our two friendly and brotherly peoples as well.

 

The relations between our Parliaments, which are the center of people-to-people relations, have also gained a momentum in 2024, and we have increased our contacts in this field, especially with the visit of the delegation headed by the Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly Woo Wonshik to our country.

 

A large number of high-level military visits, including those of the force Commanders, reciprocally took place this year.

 

Our warship TCG Kınalıada, which was produced with domestic and national capabilities, made a very successful port visit to Busan last June, and our defense industry products were exhibited on this occasion.

 

Turkish and Korean companies have recently undertaken many mega projects, many of which have been successfully completed and delivered ahead of their schedule.

 

The Çanakkale 1915 Bridge, the world's largest in its field, and the Eurasia Tunnel connecting Asia and Europe are among these important mega projects completed by the Turkish-Korean partnership.

 

President Yoon's visit to Türkiye next year, which was postponed in 2024, will be very meaningful for the realization of other mega projects that will further cherish the relations between our countries.

 

Our horizons and dreams are very big, but what Türkiye  and Korea have done and can do together encourages us and inspires us to work harder.

 

Today, nothing can be achieved alone. I would like to thank Limak, Yapı Merkezi, Çanakkale 1915 Group, our national flag carrier Turkish Airlines, our trusted partner Poongsan, Türkiye-Korea Friendship Association and Korean Cultural Association, CSWind, ORS A.Ş., Çok Çok and the other companies that are exhibiting their beautiful products in the side hall, for their great contribution to the realization of this night.

 

I would also like to thank Alpedo restaurant which is never leaving us alone in any event for serving delicious Turkish food to our guests. As I  am concluding my speech, I bow with gratitude and respect in front of Great Atatürk and his comrades-in-arms, who founded the Republic of Türkiye, and all our heroes who were martyred as well as the veterans for the protection and preservation of our Republic, and I pray mercy for those who have passed away and a speedy recovery to our veterans who injured in recent combats.

 

May the 101st Anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye be blessed and the first anniversary of the Century of Türkiye be auspicious and fortunate.