We are far geographically close emotionally . . .  the music unites us
박찬진 주레바논대사, 2008.11.26, Al Balad

1. 주요 기사 요지

ㅇ 레바논 현 정세 및 향후 정세 평가

- 지난 5월 “Doha"합의이후 Sleiman 대통령 선출, 거국 내각 구성 등 많은 진전이 있었음을 평가함.

- 향후 주재국 정세 안정을 기대함. 특히, 국제사회의 지원과 레바논 정부의 자구 노력이 결합될 경우, 주재국이 갈망하는 평화와 안정, 결속과 번영을 누리게 될 것임.

Intro:
From the extreme east of the “yellow continent”, from the country of straits and vast seas he carried with him an Asiatic message entitled “cautious and wise diplomacy”.
The arrival of the Ambassador of South Korea Chan-jin Park in Lebanon few months before July War did not obstruct him from fulfilling his complete diplomatic tasks; he still have to stay around 3 months before Lebanon will close the doors behind an Ambassador who loved Lebanon and adored its people, mountains, and historical monuments. He is the example of the Ambassador who chooses his letters wisely and carefully, and supports his arguments by facts and proofs. Inside the basket of his embassy, there are few millions of dollars of assistances to Lebanon, and inside his Lebanese memory few funny Arabic words and some calm memories. With the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Chan-jin Park, we had this interview.

Q: What was your feeling when you were nominated ambassador of Korea in Lebanon? Did you hesitate before accepting?

A: In reality, I was extremely happy when I received this news. Lebanon is a friendly country with Korea; it is a wonderful and beautiful country and a haven of culture and openness. I certainly did not hesitate because I did not have reasons to do so.

Q: Even when Lebanon was suffering from crises and wars?

A: Sure, even during that era, I didn’t hesitate for a second. However, I can’t deny that the July War was a “shock” for me, where I arrived in Lebanon few months before that war. But at the end, there is no country that lives in complete security and desired idealism.

Q: And today, how can you evaluate the Lebanese and current situations?

A: The Lebanese situation has been progressing remarkably comparing to the last era especially to what happened during last May, with the clashes in Beirut and its suburbs. The situation has been progressing after the election of President Suleiman and the election of the government. Today and since those incidents, Tripoli still witness some acts of violence. But in general, we cannot neglect the prosperity which occurred during the recent era.

Q: Do you consider yourself at an equal distance of all the Lebanese political factions?

A: Sure, I am always at an equal distance of all the politicians; I often visit most of them. I have visited Minister Suleiman Frangieh at his residence in the north, and I shall convene soon with some members of the Syrian Social National Party. In the south, I had the opportunity to meet some Hezbollah representatives. I preserve good relations with members of March 14.

I HOPE OBAMA WOULD CONTRIBUTE IN A CHANGE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Q: How can you explain your mission in Lebanon? And in what fields can we remarkably realize Korea’s fingerprints? 

A: Even if my country is geographically far from Lebanon, Korea as a member of the international community has been doing efforts to help Lebanon to overcome the obstacles that obstruct its path of stability and prosperity. Our interests are to enhance bilateral relations on all levels. On the ground, you can realize the efforts through Korea’s contributions in the Stockholm conference in 2006 and Paris III Conference, which amounted to 6 million USD, in addition to the reconstruction of two public schools in the southern village of Tebnin and the Bekaa village of Brital. This year, we offered 300 thousand USD to reconstruct the Naher El Bared camp. We will donate also 100 thousand USD for the demining operations in the south by the end of this year. Moreover, the embassy did not hesitate in helping some associations and organizations in computerizing their systems and providing them with some equipments.

THE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN LEBANON AND SYRIA ARE A MUTUAL CHALENGE FOR BOTH STATES

Q: Do you believe that this short termed government would be able to impose a particular political, economic and security stability?

A: I hope so. The current cabinet is trying to enhance the security stability in the country in harmony with the international community, which supports the peace, and stability in Lebanon.

Q: And what about the Syrian role in the context?

A: I think that the step of the diplomatic exchange between Lebanon and Syria is a mutual challenge for both states. It is very normal and should happen from long time between two neighboring countries, very close geographically.

Q: Are you convinced in you mission in the UNIFIL south Lebanon? Any current problems?

A: No problems at all, the members of the Korean Battalion are in complete harmony with the southern inhabitants. They provide their services on the level of the civilian projects in the region.

Q: What about the volume of the economic exchange between Lebanon and Korea?

A: Last year, the economic exchange between the two counties reached 170 million USD representing an increase by 38% comparing to previous years. This year and until September, the economic exchange scored 180 million USD, which is an increase by 50% comparing to the same period of last year. Most of this activity is Korean exports to Lebanon. We expect that the exchange would surpass 200 million USD by the end of this year.
Finally, both countries have signed core agreements in order to enhance their economic relations. The first one aims at protecting investments; it was signed in May 2006 and put into effect in December 2006. The second one aims at enhancing economic and commercial cooperation; it was signed in January 2005 and put into effect in May 2006.
I believe that this economic progress is the fruit of the stability, which Lebanon enjoys since the Doha Accord.

THE KOREAN BATTALION IN THE UNIFIL ADAPTED TO THE SOUTHERN INHABITANTS

Q: What about the number of the Lebanese in Korea?

A: Around 20 people only, including the Ambassador, his wife and some students.

Q: And the volume of the Korean population in Lebanon?

A: Approximately 120 including our embassy’s staff.

Q: How can you describe your relations today with North Korea and the international community?

A: We have good relations with the international community. But with North Korea, our relations are not developed enough. Our relations today are stable comparing to what it used to be before. We hope to see the development of this relation patiently and carefully.

Q: Do you believe that the US policy towards Korea will change today with the new President Barack Obama?        

A: I don’t think so, but I hope that the new President would contribute in a change in the Middle East in the positive progressive sense. And I hope that he would be able to overcome the financial crisis that affected many countries including Korea.

Q: What is in common between Lebanon and Korea?

A: On the cultural level, we can see the similarity to the extreme extent between Korean and Lebanon songs; the music is similar, both carry feelings. Both populations are easily affected by emotions. In Lebanon as in Korea, there are plenty of philosophers and poets and on the top of the list is Gebran Khalil Gebran who is well known in Korea.

Personal

Q: Did you encounter any difficulty in adapting with the Lebanese atmosphere on all levels?

A: Not too much. The Lebanese people are open and friendly. What bothered me in the past were the assassinations and war; I wasn’t ready for such incidents.

 Q: How do you spend your time away from diplomatic work?

A: I practice Golf. I visit the mountains and practice Ski during its season.

Q: Is you family here with you?

A: Yes, my wife is here.

Q: How long have you been here and how long will you stay?

A: I came in March 2006, and according to the rules of the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my mission lasts for 3 years meaning that I do not have much time before my departure by the beginning of next year.

Q: Do you know some Arabic words? As what?

A: “Kifak, Kif Halak, Sabahak, Masak, Khalas, Mubarak El Iftar”. And sometimes when I meet a beautiful lady I tell her: “You’re beautiful” and I ask her: “Married?”

Q: Favorite Lebanese meal?

A: Kebbeh Nayyeh (Raw Meat), Tabbouleh, Fattouch.

Q: Favorite Place?

A: Jbeil, because it enjoys a classy historical character.  

300 THOUSAND USD OFFERED BY KOREA TO RECONSTRUCT NAHER EL BARED CAMP
100 THOUSAND USD AS A KOREAN CONTRIBUTION IN DEMINING OPERATIONS IN THE SOUTH
180 MILLION USD THE VOLUME OF THE ECONOMIC EXCHANGE UNTIL LAST SEPTEMBER

The origin: Sooun

The city of Sooun is located in the middle of Korea, on a smooth decline in the northeast.
The city hosts the famous fort of “Hawsoong”, considered as a Korean historical monument. The city is constructing today a unique research and development center in the technological valley of “Jwanjeo” using the technological information, vital technology and new technology.