By Lee Kap-soo 

 

“Belarus and South Korea could really find common points of joining efforts in preventing global threats to the humanity. For example, practical cooperation with the Republic of Korea is possible in the area of preventing climate change and global warming, as well as on the cooperation in the field of forestation and oxygen production, food security maintenance and collaboration in analyzing the impact of man-made disasters on the environment,” said H.E. Andrew Chernetsky, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Korea.

 

 

In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal, Amb. Chernetsky said, “A rational view of Korea's economic growth directions, including the need to develop peaceful nuclear energy, largely coincides with the priority tasks in the field of economy being implemented in the Republic of Belarus. And this is what our countries must use to unite our efforts in countering global threat.”

Asked on the ways to promote trade between Korea and Belarus, Amb. Chernetsky replied, “My vision of possible ways to stimulate trade between countries is that an increasing trade turnover should be beneficial to both parties. 

 

“In this regard, the Republic of Belarus, taking into account a well-developed food production sector in the country, is able to organize supplies of high-quality meat and dairy products to the market of the Republic of Korea.”

He also said, “For South Korean small and medium enterprises, partnership with Belarusian business representatives can help reduce production expenses due to lower labor costs, energy and raw materials at a reasonable price. SMEs of the Republic of Korea are showing their interest in cooperation with Belarusian companies in agro-industrial complex, mechanical engineering, petrochemical industry and fertilizers.”

 

 

The following is the full-text of the Diplomacy Journal's interview with Amb. Andrew Chernetsky of Belarus to Korea.

 

Question: Diplomatic relations between Belarus and Korea were officially formed in 1992. How has the relationship developed over period?

 

Answer: The year 2022 marked the 30th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties, which is a considerable period. During these years Belarus and Korea have made a substantial progress in various areas of cooperation. Both countries have implemented many bilateral economic and innovation cooperation projects, achieved substantial progress in IT and science and technology, areas of paperless trade, cyber security and e-government standardization. Many of these projects were implemented within Belarus-Korea IT Cooperation Center in Minsk in 2017–2019. A number of MOUs were signed between the leading universities of Belarus and Korea. 

 

 

The Republic of Belarus has been always attaching special importance to the development of cooperation with the Republic of Korea. Against the backdrop of a complicated global economic situation Belarus-Korea mutually beneficial cooperation continues. We note the growth of South Korean exports to the Republic of Belarus. My country is grateful to the Republic of Korea for its intention to implement humanitarian projects in the medical field. 

 

We welcome a new Korean Ambassador to Belarus, who presented credentials to the President of Belarus in June, 2023. President of Belarus Mr. Aleksandr Lukashenko. Addressing the Korean Ambassador, the President drew attention to the fact that Minsk and Seoul have many examples of successful cooperation in various areas: in trade and investment, science and technology, culture and sports. Belarusian Leader declared: “Today we have a number of projects that are being worked on, but this is not enough. The situation in the world is not easy now, it is necessary to make every effort to get closer”.

 

 

Vision of developing relations between Republic of Belarus and Republic of Korea in the nearest future

Nowadays are very difficult but challenging times for diplomacy. International processes in politics, economics, and scientific and technological development lead to the emergence of new contradictions and threats to all humanity. These threats can only be effectively countered by joining efforts, since they are global in nature. 

Therefore, even despite political differences, interaction between states is vital to prevent negative global trends. This, in my opinion, is the main task of diplomacy at the present stage.

 

 

A rational view of Korea's economic growth directions, including the need to develop peaceful nuclear energy, largely coincides with the priority tasks in the field of economy being implemented in the Republic of Belarus. And this is what our countries must use to unite our efforts in countering global threats.

 

There are a lot of issues our countries are sharing similar approach to. And Belarus and South Korea could really find common points of joining efforts in preventing global threats to the humanity. For example, practical cooperation with the Republic of Korea is possible in the area of preventing climate change and global warming, as well as on the cooperation in the field of forestation and oxygen production, food security maintenance and collaboration in analyzing the impact of man-made disasters on the environment.

 

 

Q: Please introduce the Independence Day of Your Excellency’s wonderful country, which falls on July 3.

 

A: The celebration date of the National Day of the Republic of Belarus was not chosen by chance. On this day the capital of Belarus - the Minsk city - was liberated from Nazi invaders. 

 

 

Next year the whole country will celebrate the 80th anniversary of this both great and tragic date. The memory about this always lives in the hearts of the people of Belarus. Due to its geographical location, almost all wars in Europe passed through Belarusian territory. My country did not start any of them, but each of them brought a lot of suffering to every Belarusian family. In these difficult conditions, we managed to preserve the country, save the nation. And today the main priority is to prevent war on our soil. People of Belarus, like the people of South Korea, have seen from their own experience the price of freedom. 

 

Q: What is the present volume of bilateral trade between Belarus and South Korea? Do you have any idea to boost bilateral trade between the two countries in the future?

 

 

A: I have to admit that current trade potential between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Belarus has not been fully realized. Bilateral trade turnover is quite low – around 100 million US dollars. There are many reasons for this, including the fact that nowadays the international community has witnessed numerous problems in logistics, energy, food supplies etc. The whole world is trying to find solutions that could avoid serious consequences for all countries. I would highly appreciate if cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Korea could contribute to this matter as well.

 

My vision of possible ways to stimulate trade between countries is that an increasing trade turnover should be beneficial to both parties. This condition is met when exports from one country contribute to solving the problems of the economy of another country. In this regard, the Republic of Belarus, taking into account a well-developed food production sector in the country, is able to organize supplies of high-quality meat and dairy products to the market of the Republic of Korea.

 

 

For South Korean small and medium enterprises, partnership with Belarusian business representatives can help reduce production expenses due to lower labor costs, energy and raw materials at a reasonable price. SMEs of the Republic of Korea are showing their interest in cooperation with Belarusian companies in agro-industrial complex, mechanical engineering, petrochemical industry and fertilizers. 

 

One of promising opportunities for South Korean small and medium sector could be a creation of business incubators for their companies overseas. Firstly, this will allow them to analyze in practice the conditions for developing new markets and test the implementation of new technologies there.

 

 

Q: In Belarus, what kind of industrial sectors are attractive to Korean investors?

A: With reference to my previous answer, I would like to reiterate the benefits Korean companies could get from cooperating with Belarusian business sector. Organization of production on the territory of Belarus will help South Korean business to reduce the cost of finished product and, accordingly, increase its competitiveness. 

 

In addition, it provides the opportunity for duty-free approach to the markets of some other countries. Republic of Belarus has the membership in the EAEU and close partnerships with the SCO (Belarus is expected to become a member of the organization next year). That is the reason why the products manufactured on Belarusian territory will have preferential access to the markets of the states that are members of these associations.

 

 

Possible areas for the development of Belarusian-Korean business relations in this direction may be food processing industry, agricultural engineering, biotechnology, cosmetics and others. It should be noted that the meat and dairy industry of the agricultural sector is one of the strengths of the Republic of Belarus. The products of Belarusian dairy enterprises have repeatedly won prizes at competitions in Paris. With food prices continuing to rise, cooperation in meat and dairy industry could be one of the most promising in terms of investment.

 

Q: What tourist attractions do you want to recommend to Korean tourists? Do you have any government programs to attract foreign tourists, including Koreans, to Belarus?

 

 

A: There are many things in the Republic of Belarus that Koreans will like. Firstly, Belarusian territory is largely covered with forests. There are many rivers and lakes in the country. Belarusian spring, summer, and winter are very similar to Korean ones - the same variety of colors in autumn and flowers – in spring, a lot of greenery in summer and white and bright colors in winter. Of course, there is more snow in Belarus than in Korea, but it is not that chilly as in Korean peninsula. Summer is not so hot with max temperature of 32 C. The air in Belarus is very clean, so it is very comfortable to breathe outside all year round. On the territory of Belarus there are a number of objects included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. 

Among them the unique European forests, magnificent medieval castles and palaces. Belarus is very unique by its nature. Sometimes it is called “a blue-eyed country” with 11,000 lakes and more than 20,800 rivers and streams with a total length of 90,600 kilometers (twice as long as the equator) on its territory. Belarusian architecture, nature, culture - all this, I am sure, will be very interesting for tourists from Korea.

 

Just to promote foreign tourists’ inflow, the Government of Belarus adopted a visa-waiver program which allows citizens of more than 80 countries, including Republic of Korea, to enter and stay in Belarus without visa for 30 days. 

 

Q: Are there any programs of your Embassy planning to hold next year?

A: The Embassy annually holds a number of protocol and cultural events. The main ones: the Reception on the occasion of National Independence Day (80th Anniversary this year); celebration of national folk holidays including Christmas (Kalyady), holiday of Spring (Maslenitsa), Summer (Kupalle) and Harvest (Dazhinki); events with the participation of Belarusian diaspora in Korea, dedicated to the days of state symbols, Belarusian language and culture. In 2024, the Embassy will continue this tradition.

Q: What are the most important festive days in your country? Please elaborate.

A: The main holidays of the country are, with no doubt, Independence Day(Liberation Day), celebrated on July 3, and Victory Day over the Nazi invaders, celebrated on May 9. October Revolution Day is celebrated on November 7th. In addition, Belarusian culture is very rich in various traditions and rituals, both religious or originating from ancient times. They reflect the vast heritage of the Belarusian nation. Christianity and Catholicism are widespread in the Republic of Belarus. Therefore, every year the country officially celebrates two Christmas days – December, 25 according to the Gregorian calendar and January, 7 according to the Julian calendar, two Easters. The most notable folk holidays are Kalyady, Maslenitsa, and Kupalle. 

 

The harvest festival of Dazhinki meets a Korean traditional holiday - Chuseok. Each of these events is wonderful in its own way. A separate article is needed to describe them in detail.

 

Q: Please tell me what was the most rewarding or happiest moment while you have been working as a diplomat.

 

A: I enjoy working as a diplomat in general. I could not say that it is an easy job. But diplomacy is vitally necessary for building, maintaining and sometimes restoring confidence between countries. Diplomacy is about dialog, not about confrontation.

 

Those in diplomacy who are eager to confront should have found another job. And I feel myself rewarded the most when I and my vis-a-vis succeed in finding issues to cooperate rather than counteract. 

 

As I have already told, the ultimate goal for a diplomat in any country is to find common points for interaction between states even despite political differences. So, I am always happy when Republic of Korea and Republic of Belarus are interacting. 

 

Q: Please introduce yourself in detail, including your career, family and hobbies.

 

A: Originally, I am not from diplomatic background. Having served in the military for 30 years I also have academician experience and obtained a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. Areas of my scientific research were high voltage power transmission, electrical grid optimization and control, usage of energy storage systems in it. In 2021 I was appointed by the President of Belarus as an Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. 

 

I am married and blessed with daughter and son. To relax I prefer to play guitar – I like it very much because the guitar string sound could resonate with the strings of our souls. I like sport activity, especially OCR sport – obstacle course racing. I was very proud when I managed to complete the one of the most famous OCR race – Spartan Race, which took place in South Korea in Samcheok-si on October 20-21, 2023. I was successful to complete so called “trifecta” - three distances in 2 days – 21 km with 30 obstacles, 10 km with 25 obstacles and 5 km with 20 obstacles taking first places in my age category in first two.