By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

 

The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Korea hosted the Diplomatic Reception on June 28, 2024 on the occasion of the National Day of Belarus (celebrated annually on July 3) and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the country from Nazi invaders at the Pullman Hotel in Seoul.

The solemn event organized jointly with the Belarusian diaspora in Korea, was attended by the heads of more than 35 foreign diplomatic missions, representatives of official, business and cultural circles of the Republic of Korea, as well as a number of well-known South Korean media.

 

Among those on hand at the gala reception were Amb. Tanee Sangrat of Thailand, Amb. Aida Ismailova of the Kyrgyz Republic and Amb. Songkane Luangmuninthone of Laos, Amb. U Thant Sin of Myanmar, Amb. Nurgali Arystanov of Kazahstan, and Amb. Begench Durdyyev of Turkmenistan.

 

In his welcome address, the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Andrew Chernetsky, emphasized the importance of the memorable day in the history of the country, saying, “The commemorative date of the 3rd of July was chosen as the National Day of Belarus for a specific reason and not by chance. On that day, 80 years ago, the capital of Belarus – the city of Minsk – was liberated from Nazi invaders. In that terrible war, every third inhabitant of Belarus died. The memory of the tragedy continues to live in the generations of Belarusians.” 

 

Amb. Andrew Chernetsky underscored that the Republic of Belarus, like the Republic of Korea, knows the price of freedom with terrible consequences of war and don’t want it happen again.

 

Speaking about bilateral relations, Ambassador Andrew Chernetsky assured that there have never been insoluble contradictions between Belarus and Korea and despite the existing differences in the positions on certain international politics issues, two states are now witnessing normal interaction between business communities, positive development in the educational and cultural spheres with the upcoming Korea-Belarus Cultural Exchange Exhibition to be held in early July. 

The Ambassador also stressed that the one of the main missions of the Embassy now is to promote bilateral contacts for the benefit of both peoples. The Republic of Belarus, like the Republic of Korea, faces many challenges in which both countries can help each other.

In the final part of his address, H.E. Andrew Chernetsky drew the attention of the audience to global challenges facing world community, including climate change, issues with supply chains and energy, sustainable development of problem regions, food security. The Head of Belarusian mission expressed hope that the cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Korea can also contribute to solving these global issues.

 

One of the key elements of the event scenario was the presentation of the photo exhibition "Belarus Undefeated" to show how over the last 80 years, despite everything, Belarus has managed to be reborn from the ashes of the war, and to perpetuate the memory of a human feat, incredible fortitude and faith in victory over the enemy.

The Embassy's reception was complemented by a cultural performance of the Belarusian diaspora in Korea, including a solo performance of songs in the Belarusian language, traditional and modern dances.

 

 

The following is the full-text of the welcoming address by Belarus Amb. H.E.  Andrew Chernetsky

Excellencies, 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished Guests,

 

It is my privilege to welcome you today at the solemn event on the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Belarus. For every nation, this holiday has a special meaning. It symbolizes both the joy of victories and the bitterness of the losses suffered on the thorny path of forming a nation, gaining statehood. The people of the Republic of Belarus, like the people of the Republic of Korea, have fully experienced both periods of joy and moments of sorrow.

 

The history of every country was never simple. The history of the Republic of Belarus, as well as the history of the Republic of Korea is also very rich in events and memorable dates, being an important part of national heritage. But the commemorative date of the 3rd of July as the National Day of Belarus was not chosen by chance. 

 

 

It has special meaning for every Belarussian citizen. On this day, 80 years ago, the capital of Belarus – the city of Minsk– was liberated from Nazi invaders. In that terrible war, every third inhabitant of Belarus died. This memory continues to live in the generations of Belarusians. Similar to the Republic of Korea, we know the price of freedom. Both our countries have seen the devastating consequences of war and don’t want it happen again. 

To commemorate this important and meaningful date is one of the main reasons we are here today. In this regard, the Embassy of Belarus has prepared the Photo Exhibition “Belarus Undefeated” designed both to show how over the last 80 years, despite everything, our country has managed to be reborn from the ashes of the war and to perpetuate the memory of a human feat, incredible fortitude and faith in victory over the enemy. A victory that was achieved by the combined efforts of all the peoples of a once huge country.

 

 

Speaking of the present, I am pleased to note that there have never been insoluble contradictions between Belarus and Korea. The period of more than thirty-year of diplomatic relations between our countries has many successful examples of mutually beneficial cooperation. And even despite the fact that now the position of our nations on certain issues of international politics is somewhat different, we are witnessing normal interaction between the business communities of our countries, positive development of contacts in the educational and cultural spheres. I am confident that these relations will continue to expand for the benefits of Belarusian and Korean people.

 

I would like to highlight that interpretations of both – history and contemporary events – may differ. There have always been and remain different points of view, which often divide countries and peoples. But it is much more important to find common approaches that contribute to the convergence, building a dialogue between states. The history of Belarus-Korea relations is rich in constructive interaction. For more than thirty years of bilateral ties a significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Korea in various fields has been accumulated. In the current difficult conditions, it is important to preserve it for the benefit of the two countries.

 

 

The Embassy within its mandate intends in any case to promote bilateral contacts for the benefit of both peoples. The Republic of Belarus, like the Republic of Korea, faces many challenges in which our countries can help each other. I see this as the main goal of my diplomatic work, namely against the backdrop of a complex of contradictions to find common grounds where countries can be mutually useful. Such directions are being implemented and will be implemented in the future. 

 

In my opinion, Belarusian-South Korean positive cooperation should be based on the areas that are of interest to both sides and should contribute to solving the problems of overcoming the challenges of the current situation in the global economy. Nowadays, the international community has witnessed numerous problems in logistics, energy, food supplies. The international community strives to find solutions for challenges at the global level. Among them are the combating climate change, the promotion of sustainable development of problem regions, the achievement of food security. 

And I would very much hope that cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Korea could contribute to this matter as well.

 

 

Dear friends,

Nowadays are very challenging times for everyone. It must be passed with dignity. But it is equally important to start thinking about the future world, which, in my deep conviction, will be based on the results of the next industrial revolution. We can already see the contours of the technocratic society of the future – artificial intelligence, biotechnology. But its clear image is still blurred. A lot depends on us now – to what extent humanity will be able to overcome this difficult period, to find compromise solutions. I am sure that sooner or later it will be found and a huge role in this belongs to the younger generation, who will have to live and create in the new world, paving the way for the sixth and subsequent technological and industrial breakthrough. 

And in my opinion, it is necessary to lay the foundations for communications between the young generations of different countries because this is the best guarantee of a successful future of mankind, in which future generations will be able to avoid the mistakes of their ancestors.

 

Let me sincerely thank you once again for sharing with us this Day – the National Day of Belarus. It is an integral part of our heritage, our national memory. The people of Belarus keep this heritage in their hearts, in Belarusian traditions, in Belarusian history. And so, it will always be.