- 50 Years of Amity between Korea and Guatemala – ‘Towards a new Future Together…’
A Special Interview with the Guatemalan Ambassador,
His Excellency Rafael A. Salazar
[Sisa Times – Dr. Chun, Se Whan: Ph.D in South America Studies]
This year marks 50 years of amity between South Korea and Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica).
On the 17th of September, an event was organized at the Hilton Hotel in Hong Eun Dong, marking the 50 years of amity, as well as the 191 years of independence. Several hundred people, including the main ambassadors from Central America and Korean government personnel attended the event. The event was hosted by the Guatemalan Ambassador, H.E. Rafael A. Salazar.
24th of October marks the 50th anniversary of amity between South Korea and Central America. Hence, a special interview with H.E. Rafael A. Salazar was held by Sisa Times.
The Guatemalan Ambassador, H.E. Rafael A. Salazar has been working in Korea for the past eight years and is returning to his home country on the 15th of November. Ambassador H.E. Salazar revealed that he would like to become a goodwill ambassador for South Korea when he returns to Guatemala.
The interview with Ambassador H.E. Salazar was held on two occasions (26 September and 4 October) by Dr. Chun, Se Whan at the Lotte Hotel Guatemalan Embassy.
▶ When did you come to South Korea and how do
you feel about the country?
I arrived in Korea in January, 2005 and it has been eight years since then. After being here for eight years, I find that Korea is a convenient place and is somewhere which provides something new every day. It is a country which provides continual challenges as well as interests; there is a good attitude towards foreigners. The roads are clean and it is safe in public here.
▶ Tell us about your family.
I was born in the capitol of Guatemala on the 18th of August. Iris Chavarria de Salazar is my wife. I have four children (Maria Leticia, Carlos, Iris Maria and Maria Jose) and eight grandchildren. I am currently in Korea with my wife.
▶ Which countries did you work in before coming to Korea?
I studied Public Administration, Organization, and Methodology in many places including Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Georgetown University in the US.
I worked as a diplomat from 1970 to 1989, and then went on to work as an ambassador. I worked as a consul in Honduras, a third secretary in Mexico, a first secretary in China and Nicaragua, a consul general in Belize, and the United States (Los Angeles and San Francisco). I then became an ambassador in Belize and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs in Guatemala. I was also an ambassador in Nicaragua and am currently an ambassador in South Korea. I am also working as an ambassador in North Korea and Vietnam, although I am not in residence there.
▶ I know that you have quite a few achievements in the field of culture and sports. What kind of things do you enjoy doing?
I have interest in history, especially the Mayan culture, the Foundation Day of Korea and Korean history. The Mayan civilization was limited by the Spanish but was not completely destroyed. It just did not continue growing. This can be seen in the exhibition about Mayan culture, called ‘Maya 2012’ at the National Museum of Korea (September 4 to October 28). As there have been 12 cycles in the Mayan calendar, each cycle consisting of 400 years, there have been around 4,800 years of Mayan history, similar to the history of Korea.
Also, I am interested in poetry; my interests in sports have changed with age, but I enjoy gymnastics, football, baseball, volleyball tennis and horse riding. I am also playing golf nowadays for my health. I have also presented various essays and articles. [The Triangle of the Political, Economic and Diplomatic Isolation of Guatemala(1985), The Shock Policy to Establish Diplomatic Relations (1989), When a Right is Dehumanized (1998), Reflections for the Establishment of a Foreign Policy as a State Policy (2003)].
I have received medals as a mark of honour in Mexico and Nicaragua and I am an honorary citizen of Seoul. I was also received an honorary doctorate at a university in Inchon.
▶ On the 19th of September, you gave an inspirational memorial speech at the event celebrating 50 years of amity between Korea and Central America (Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras and El Salvador) as well as 191 years of independence. Would you tell us more about the process in history when Guatemala gained independence 191 years ago?
On the 15th of September, 1821, Guatemala gained independence from Spain. After this, Guatemala was divided into five countries. Estado de Chiapas, Mexico was also a part of Guatemala. Following the example of the independence of Mexico, Guatemala also became independent. And it was the time that advancements of national independent movements swept over throughout Middle & South America countries. There was a tendency towards independent movement even before 1811, and On the 1st of July, 1823, the United Provinces of Central America was founded and Estado de Chiapas remained a part of Mexico.
▶ The 26th of October marks 50 years of amity between Guatemala and South Korea. How do you think the relationship between Guatemala and South Korea has developed over the years? Is there perhaps as need for a summit (for the two countries?)
In 1962, Korea was poorer than Central America. At that time, the diplomatic relations was a genuine one. Central America provided Korea with things that were necessary and also became part of the UN. It was the time of the Cold War and the two countries had interest in one another. The aim was to be freed from the threat of communist countries.
The situation has changed a lot now. Korea has developed into a global country. Korea has now become a country which produces. Summit meetings between the two countries are very important. Korea and Guatemala are now in strategic positions.
The last time a Guatemalan president visited South Korea was in 1992. The president attempted to visit Korea this year, but it was the first year that he was elected and the current public peace, health and education climate is bad [so he was not able to visit]. The public peace of Guatemala is even a problem for the Koreans residing there.
[The president] was going to attend the Yeosu Expo in July and visit in October but was told that it would be better to visit when a new government is elected in Korea. From 1st of October this year, Guatemala will assume presidency of the United Nations Security Council. Both countries will have to work hard in order for Korea to become a member of the United Nations Security Council as well.
For the public peace of Guatemala, the Korean National Police Headquarters and the Guatemalan National Police Headquarters cooperated to create a memorandum of understanding (MoU). 20 teachers in the field of education were also given opportunities; in terms of human resources development, there are 76 Guatemalan students currently studying in 19 Korean universities.
Next year, the Free Trade Agreement will be contracted between Korea and 5 Central American countries; investment incentives and protection of incentives are on the agenda.
▶ There are more Koreans living in Guatemala than any other Central American country. In particular, there are many [Korean] companies entering Guatemala. What are the reasons for this? Also, how many Guatemalans are there in Korea and what do they do here?
There are 12,000 Koreans in Guatemala. They are mainly in the sewing industry but recently there has been an increase in [Korean] cell phone LCD/screen companies. Although human resources are expensive in Korea, it is cheap in Guatemala. Korean industries not only get tax benefits, but should there be human resources training, the government also provides financial grants, too.
In addition, there are 12 Guatemalans currently living in Korea. They are Guatemalan women who are married to Korean men. There are 76 Guatemalan students at present in Korea; 50 of them have organized an alumni association back in Guatemala. Guatemalan students can be a great help to Korean investors. They have adjusted to Korean culture with a high level of education, and therefore should be a great asset to both countries. It is the greatest achievement of H.E. Salazar to establish International Students Promotion Program from Guatemala in Korean universities.
▶ Now the big exhibition ‘Maya 2012’ is held by cooperation of both Guatemala and Mexico at Korean National Central Museum. Why do you have the exhibition together with Mexico?
When it comes to Mayan Civilization, Guatemala is the centre, but the civilization had been spread over one part of Yucatán areas in Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador etc. In terms of complementary cooperation, we arranged ‘Maya 2012’ together with Mexico
▶ For many Koreans, Guatemala is known as ‘the banana republic’. What are Guatemalans reminded of when they think of Koreans?
It is wrong to think of Guatemala as ‘the banana republic’. Similarly, Guatemalans [had the wrong image of Korea because they] associated Korea with imported products of bad quality. Many Korean immigrants during the mid-90s started companies using sewing machines and some developed. However, if the businesses failed, the owners often ran away without giving any wages. Koreans were misunderstood as people who only cared about money and there were no students studying abroad. The Korean overseas studying system was unknown [to Guatemalans] but even if it was known, Korea was much an avoided country.
However, the bad image of Korea did change. There was an image of good education system. Through the use of study promotion systems in schools, Korea was known to be a good place for education and students went to Korea to study. Education in Korea is now global and is now comparative to the United States or Europe.
Argentina and Brazil is known for football and Chile is known for their wine. However, the education and cultural system in Central America is also good. Human resources in Korea are very good. Just as Koreans were misunderstood, so were South Americans. It is very important for cultures to be understood and be acknowledged by other cultures.
▶ The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Harold Caballeros is coming on the 13th of October. What are his reasons for visiting Korea?
He is coming for the 50 years of amity [between Korea and Guatemala] event, financial provisions for higher education, and to attend ‘Maya 2012’.
▶ What are the reasons for the phenomenal growth of Protestantism of Guatemala, not only just in comparison to other Central American countries but internationally?
The Mayan culture is very spiritual and on top of this, the Catholic system and mentality blended together and became the foundational religion; this provided a basis for growth in Protestantism.
▶ In conclusion, would you like to say something to the people of Korea?
Thank you for today’s interview with Sisa Times; I think this will be the last interview for me in Korea. I will resign from all public duties on the 15th of November. Thank you for treating my wife and I with kindness; and if it is possible, I would like to become an honorary ambassador of Korea in Guatemala. I will come back to Korea again if I have the opportunity. May God bless South Korea…
Interviewer : Dr. Chun Se Whan, President, CEO of SISA TIMES.
Interpreter : Johnny S. Hwang, Managing Director of Allied International.
Reporter : Tak Kyoung Seon
Translator : Dr. Hei Jean Ahn . Prof. Nam, Byeong-Chul, (S.K. Univ.)
[All Copyrights belong to SISA TIMES in South Korea]
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