Remarks by
H.E. Kang Kyung-hwa
Minister of Foreign Affairs

IFTAR Dinner
22 June 2017

H.E. Mohamed Salim Al-Harthy(모하메드 쌀림 알하르씨), Ambassador of Oman(주한아랍외교단장)
Dear colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps,
Imam Lee Ju-hwa(이주화),
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Ramadan Kareem(라마단 카림)!

Yesterday was the summer solstice. I believe all my Muslim friends here spent the longest day of this year fasting, praying and engaging in self-reflection, purifying their minds. The best zakat(선행) I can offer today is perhaps to make my remarks as brief as possible.

I am delighted to be meeting with you all on my first diplomatic event as Foreign Minister. I am honored that the Iftar dinner tonight symbolizes an opportunity to share the values of Ramadan with 150,000 Muslims in Korea, and by doing so, to connect with 1.6 billion Muslims around the world.

There is an Islamic proverb that goes “The house that receives no guests never receives angels.” Seeing so many of you here tonight, I feel assured that Korea and the Islamic world will continue to forge close bonds of friendship in the years to come.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The holy month of Ramadan bestows upon us an increased sense of gratitude for what we may take for granted in everyday life. It is a month of equality in which there is no distinction between the rich and the poor. It is a month of charity and solidarity, of sharing others’ burdens. It is, rather paradoxically, a time of abundance when Muslims become enriched through self-reflection and self-purification. Indeed, it marks a new beginning for all believers of Islam.
On its part, Korea began afresh with the inauguration of the new administration last month. My new government wishes to expand the breadth and depth of its diplomatic relations across the globe. In this spirit, Korea looks forward to deepening and enriching its ties with the Islamic world through public diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges.

The relationship between Korea and the Islamic world date far back in history. In fact, Korea first became known by its name thanks to Muslim merchants who visited the peninsula about a thousand years ago during the Koryo Dynasty. More recently, Muslims fought shoulder to shoulder with us in the Korean War. During this darkest hour in modern Korean history, our Muslim friends also showed solidarity and benevolence by establishing orphanages and caring for children through donations. We are ever grateful for this friendship.

Economic cooperation with the Islamic world was also critical for Korea to overcome the ravages of war. In the 1970s, the Middle East served as an engine of economic development with Korean companies carrying out mega-projects that have reshaped major cities in the region. Today, Korea and Islamic states enjoy comprehensive partnerships that go beyond economic dimensions.
For instance, airlines are operating numerous direct flights between the two regions; around 10,000 Muslim students are studying in Korea; more than 7,000 Middle East patients are being treated yearly in Korea; young Koreans are working at airlines, hotels, hospitals, colleges and construction sites in the Islamic world. They are all envoys proudly bridging our two cultures.

I would like to acknowledge some of them for all the work they are doing to bring us ever closer.

Ms. Sofia El-Khouly(소피아 엘쿨리) is connecting our peoples through her active calligraphy work which is one of the common elements between Korean and Arab cultures.

I am also delighted to note Mr. Ali Basel(알리 바셀) whose family was separated due to the ongoing conflict in Syria. He is now teaching Arabic to my junior diplomats at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

Mr. Ali Karahozlu(알리 카라호즐루), Mr. Yaser Ghanayem(야세르 가나옘) and Mr. Firas Al-Coufahy(피라스 알쿠파히) are running fine Arabian restaurants here in Seoul.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

An Islamic poet once wrote, (and I quote,) “The wound is the place where the light enters you,” (unquote). During my ten years at the United Nations, I visited refugee and internally displaced camps in the Middle East and Africa on numerous occasions, including in Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan and South Sudan. I witnessed with my own eyes the suffering and pain of peoples whose countries have been torn apart by internecine conflicts. I also witnessed the enormous generosity of the host communities and countries.

The Korean Peninsula also remains divided for more than seven decades to date. Nonetheless, commemorating Iftar tonight, I am hopeful that the spirit of peace and tolerance will befall on my part of the world as well. I look forward to the day when the two Koreas become whole again, living in peace and prosperity. We count on your support and prayers.

May peace by any other name be upon us all. Shukran jazeelan(슈크란 좌질란). /END/