The following message was contributed to The Korea IT Times by Kim Seung-ho, Honorary Consul General of the Tuvalu in Seoul and chairman of Boryung Group on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Tuvalu and Korea.-ED.

I warmly welcome the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Tuvalu. The ties between Tuvalu and I began with my medicinal support to the country in the early 1990s, when I acted as chair of the WSMI (World Self-Medication Industry). At that time, I was not familiar with Tuvalu, but as time went on and I learned more about the country, I came to know that the people of Tuvalu are kind and genuine just like Koreans. According to my life-long belief "For a Better and Healthier Society," I have done my best to contribute to the healthy life of the people of Tuvalu, and my efforts are still being made on an ongoing basis. In return for my efforts, Tuvalu appointed me honorary consul general in Seoul in 1994, and the honorary consulate general in Korea has been established in my office building. Thanks to the warm relations between us, we have regular meetings for close cooperation between our two countries. Recently, the Vice Minister of Health of Tuvalu visited Korea and signed an MOU for medicine support.

 

Tuvalu is a beautiful paradise, but these days, due to climate change, the water level of the sea is steadily rising and threatening to submerge the island. Therefore, more help and attention are needed, and I hope that Korea, as a key member of the international community, takes leadership in supporting them. Finally, I would like to express my hope that more exchanges and warm relations between the two countries will be made. Surely my responsibility will be heavier. Tuvulu's warmth comes to Korea Visit Tuvalu and you will find an oasis of natural beauty, glimmering in the South Pacific Ocean. Its population of approximately 11,000 is spread evenly across its 260,000 square kilometers. As a member British Commonwealth of Nations, the tropical island nation established diplomatic relations with Korea in 1978, and made a fishery agreement in 1980. It has since enjoyed some export activity to Korea, but not enough to set up a diplomatic channel such as an embassy or consulate. Officials in both countries are now working to bring the two countries closer in cooperative harmony.

 

 

In order to expand exchange, Tuvalu needs a home base to spread its ties with Korea. To realize the dream of "a global village living all together," it has decided to install an honorary consulate general in the office building of Boryung group, and Kim Seong-ho, chairman of Boryung group, has taken charge of honorary consul general. Many diplomats, politicians, and businessmen participated in the opening ceremony of the honorary consulate general to express their congratulations on the establishment of the diplomatic ties with the small and beautiful island. Since taking office, Chairman Kim has been playing a key role in bridging the two countries. Fiji is another picturesque island, and is not only one of Tuvalu's neighbors, but also a diplomatic window that gives Tuvalu a view to the rest of the world.

 

In January 1995, Fiji's Minister of Finance and Ambassador to Korea visited Chairman Kim and discussed ways to expand relations with its neighboring countries in the South Pacific. In response to these visits, Chairmen Kim visited both Tuvalu and Fiji in July of the same year, and met both the Ministers of Health and Foreign Affairs while strengthening economic and diplomatic ties. Also in August and September of the same year, both a high-ranking official of Fiji's Ministry of Health and the Speaker of Tuvalu's Parliament visited Chairman Kim. In September, 1996 the Vice Minister of Health of Tuvalu and his delegation visited Chairman Kim and discussed mutual interests of the two countries. between the two countries. Since then, Chairman Kim has been playing the role of a civilian diplomat, through continuous exchanges between the two countries.