Interview to H.E Mohammad Karim Rahimi, Ambassador of Afghanistan to the rep. of Korea.
At the Embassy of Afghanistan, Seoul Korea on March 18, 2011.
His Excellency Mohammad has been living in Korea with his Family for about 3 years.
He found Korea as a very successful country. Korea is a beautiful with a colorful nature and culture. “Koreans are very friendly and hospitable specially for the foreigners. Koreans accepted the modernization they keep its strong traditional values and that is a very important.” He said
“I began to recognize Korea through Korean TV series. Like Jumong, Jewel in the palace and other TV series” he said.
About 150-250 Afghanistan’s are living in Korea. Most of them are businessman. 20-30 of them are students, majoring Management, Political science, bio technology etc...They are under scholarship program supported by the government.
They expect that in this year, about 200 afghan people will visit Korea for Orientation program.
He thinks that greater than 10 Afghanistan people are married to Koreans.
“There are no. of koreans doing infrastructure, but as we know due to the war that happens in the past 30-40 years. Many facilities in Afghanistan are collaps. But now a days there are families and kids living there.” He said.
The relationship of Afghanistan to Korea has two sides.
One is the Official relations, two is the people to people relationship, that is very strong.
The relations stared on 1973. But the new democracy of Afghanistan begins in 2002. The cordial realationship between two countries was become very strong. Since after the collaps of the tollebon in 2001. Since then the relationship expanded very rapidly. The Korean government and people of Korea took active part in the rehabilitazion fund since 2002.
They are very happy with that and presently they are trying to develop the relationship for further. He added “And we believe that a friend in need is a friend in deed.”
“I believed Korea is a dynamic society, but there are some points that need to be considered.
I think the language barrier first should be made. It is time to communicate with each other. Time to facilitate more interactions. Like foreigners should learn Korean language and Koreans should also learn International language. That pave the way to learn for better interaction. And that help the goal of globalization. More cultural exchanges.
And some how utilizing media (like Koreans should learn other countries through TV series.
And Koreans should also look after for the students tuition fees. It is high cost for International schools. And for families who have 5 kids, it is difficult for them to afford for such a high cost tuition fee.” The ambassador said.
His address to Korean Government
“People of Afghanistan considered Korea as true friend. The Korean Government bring peace since 2002. We want to see a bigger role for Korea and Afghanistan by making an Investment. The Korean businessman will make invest for the huge resources of Afghanitan. It is a good opportunity for investors because we have a a great underground resources such as Minerals, pearl stones. We also have coal, copper, iron and gas.
And now that we are in the right direction with the help of International communities. And Korea is one of the community who help us and we are thankful. I hope that the government and the people of Korea will join hands together and come forward. “lets can and do business”
