Turkmen-Korean educational relations
It should be noted that Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea cooperate effectively in multilateral fields. Our countries show that their views on important areas of the regional and global agenda are close or compatible, and they support the initiatives of the United Nations and other prestigious international organizations. Cooperation in the format “Central Asia - Republic of Korea” is also effective. The humanitarian system is also an integral part of Turkmen-Korean relations. In this system, regular relations were established in the fields of education, science, and culture. In this regard, the organization of various joint creative activities, the implementation of educational programs, and the promotion of relations between scientific centers are of great importance in both countries. Intergovernmental relations are continuously developed based on the principles of mutual respect, mutual understanding, and trust. Active cooperation is carried out in various spheres, including political-diplomatic, education, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian spheres. At the same time, parliamentary diplomacy and the strengthening of inter-legislative relations are of great importance.
In the field of education we should note the Memorandum of Understanding between Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Korea National Diplomatic Academy’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security. Between these diplomatic academies was held many events in order to cooperate in the field of education. In 2010, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea (MOFAT) held training named “Cooperation Program for Diplomats” at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy’s Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security with the participation of 20 countries, based on the call of the “Korea International Cooperation Agency” (KOISA) program and “Information and Communication Technologies of Turkmenistan Policy” participated in a study tour for the study experience program. On March 28, 2018, a meeting was held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan during the working visit of the delegation led by the Chancellor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Cho Byeong-Jen. On April 3, 2018, Mr. Hong Juntae, Senior Research Fellow of the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security of the Republic of Korea, and Lee Hojiin, Research Fellow. Also, a meeting was held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Mrs. Kim Hyeonae, an expert of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Turkmenistan.
In this regard, we have to note, that in September 2008, the department of the Korean language was opened at the Turkmen National Institute of World Languages named after Dovletmammet Azadi, and in September 2019, the Korean Educational Center named after King Sejong was opened on its basis. Within the framework of cooperation in the field of science and education, the effectiveness of Turkmenistan's interaction with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) also should be traced. Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea have significant potential for further development and deepening of cooperation that will be the key to strengthening further cooperation. Turkmenistan is steadily developing not only trade and economic, but also cultural and humanitarian ties with Korea, the great interest in the Turkmen culture and language, which contributes to the expansion of contacts in this direction. In addition, the areas of education, science, learning the Korean language, healthcare and medicine are steadily developing.
Merdan BERDINIYAZOV,
Senior Lecturer of the Institute of International Relations of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.