Category: South Korea

S.Korea: Its Diplomatic Horizons Toward Republic of Türkiye

South Korea Must Broaden Its Diplomatic Horizons Toward Türkiye and the Turkic World ( Below in Korean Language )

In a world increasingly defined by complex geopolitical rivalries and shifting alliances, South Korea must consider diversifying its international partnerships to ensure national security and long-term prosperity. One compelling avenue lies in forging deeper ties with Türkiye and the broader Turkic world, encompassing over 450 million people and rooted in a shared historical, cultural, and strategic legacy. The time has come for South Korea to revisit these connections and embrace a partnership with profound mutual benefits.

Historical Brotherhood: A Foundation of Trust

The bond between South Korea and Türkiye is not a mere diplomatic formality but a deeply ingrained relationship that transcends generations. This connection dates back to antiquity, with alliances between the Göktürks and Goguryeo during periods of conflict and expansion. It was profoundly solidified during the Korean War when Türkiye responded with unparalleled solidarity, dispatching the Turkish Brigade to defend South Korea. The term “Korean-Turkish brotherhood” encapsulates this unique relationship, one often described as “blood brothers.”

Today, this bond resonates deeply within Türkiye. The average age of Turkish veterans of the Korean War is now 89, yet their unwavering sentiment remains: “An attack on South Korea is an attack on Türkiye.” This powerful ethos is echoed by younger generations of Turks who maintain a profound sense of care and connection to their Korean counterparts. Such enduring solidarity underscores an exceptional opportunity for South Korea to reevaluate its partnerships in a rapidly changing world.

Shared Challenges, Shared Opportunities Türkiye and South Korea face strikingly similar challenges, including managing nuanced relations with powerful neighbors such as Russia and China. The Turkic world, united under the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), has emerged as a significant counterweight in the region. Through initiatives in defense, energy, and cultural cooperation, the OTS exemplifies the potential of unified action among nations with shared roots.

South Korea’s engagement with the OTS could yield substantial dividends. The bloc offers an alternative alliance system that complements South Korea’s existing relationships, diversifying its strategic options. By partnering with Türkiye and the broader Turkic world, South Korea can reduce overreliance on relationships that may prioritize narrow interests confined to the Korean Peninsula.

The Turkic World: A Rising Force Türkiye’s initiatives in Central Asia exemplify a strategic vision for strengthening ties within the Turkic world. Recent developments, including collaborations in trade, infrastructure, and cultural exchange, demonstrate the region’s collective commitment to self-reliance and global influence. South Korea stands to benefit immensely by aligning with this vision. Closer ties with Türkiye and the Turkic nations would provide access to new markets, diversified economic partnerships, and enhanced security frameworks—all vital to safeguarding South Korea’s national interests.

Moreover, this realignment would honor the historical bonds that unite these nations. The cultural affinities and shared values between South Korea and the Turkic world provide a strong foundation for collaboration, extending beyond economics to areas such as technology, education, and cultural diplomacy.

A Strategic Imperative South Korea’s current alliances, while significant, are not without limitations. The evolving geopolitical landscape necessitates a broader approach to international relations. Türkiye’s proven loyalty during times of need, coupled with its strategic leadership in the Turkic world and blood brotherhood, offers South Korea a partner that understands the value of mutual support and long-term cooperation as a family.

By strengthening ties with Türkiye and engaging with the OTS, South Korea can position itself as a key player in a diversified alliance network that transcends traditional boundaries. This approach not only aligns with South Korea’s historical blood brotherhood with Türkiye but also recognizes the vast potential of the Turkic world as a partner in navigating the complexities of modern geopolitics.

Conclusion South Korea’s future lies in embracing a broader, more inclusive diplomatic strategy. Partnering with Türkiye becoming a very important world player and regional super power and the Turkic world is not merely a nod to shared history but a pragmatic move toward a diversified and resilient international presence. The world is far larger than the confines of the Korean Peninsula, and South Korea must seize the opportunity to collaborate with its “blood brothers” in Türkiye and the Turkic world. This path promises not only strengthened alliances but also a legacy of mutual respect, security shared prosperity, and enduring solidarity.

Ibrahim Kurtulus

Turkish Community Activist

Honorary South Korean Citizen

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내 사설:

한국은 튀르키예 및 튀르크 세계와의 외교적 지평을 넓혀야 한다

점점 복잡해지는 지정학적 경쟁과 변화하는 동맹이 특징인 세계에서, 한국은 국가 안보와 장기적 번영을 보장하기 위해 국제 파트너십을 다양화할 필요가 있습니다. 이를 위한 강력한 방안 중 하나는 튀르키예와 4억 명 이상의 사람들로 이루어진 튀르크 세계와의 관계를 더욱 강화하는 것입니다. 이들 관계는 역사적, 문화적, 전략적 유산에 뿌리를 두고 있으며, 이제 한국은 이러한 연결성을 재조명하고 상호 이익이 깊은 협력 관계를 수용해야 할 때입니다.

역사적 형제애: 신뢰의 기반

한국과 튀르키예 간의 유대는 단순한 외교적 형식이 아니라 세대를 초월한 깊은 관계입니다. 이 관계는 고대까지 거슬러 올라가며, 고구려와 돌궐 간의 동맹으로부터 시작되었습니다. 특히 한국전쟁 당시 튀르키예가 한국을 방어하기 위해 터키 여단을 파병하며 전례 없는 연대를 보여줌으로써 굳건해졌습니다. “한국-튀르키예 형제애”라는 용어는 이러한 특별한 관계를 표현하며, 종종 “혈맹”으로 묘사됩니다.

현재 이 유대는 튀르키예에서 깊은 공감을 불러일으킵니다. 튀르키예 한국전 참전용사들의 평균 연령이 이제 89세임에도 불구하고, 그들의 변함없는 신념은 “한국에 대한 공격은 곧 튀르키예에 대한 공격”이라는 것입니다. 이러한 강력한 정신은 한국 동료들에 대한 깊은 관심과 연결을 유지하고 있는 튀르키예의 젊은 세대들 사이에서도 반영됩니다. 이러한 지속적인 연대는 급변하는 세계에서 한국이 파트너십을 재평가할 수 있는 특별한 기회를 보여줍니다.

공유된 도전 과제와 기회

튀르키예와 한국은 러시아와 중국과 같은 강대국 이웃들과의 복잡한 관계를 관리하는 것을 포함하여 매우 유사한 도전 과제에 직면해 있습니다. 튀르크 세계는 튀르크국가기구(OTS)를 중심으로 지역에서 중요한 균형세력으로 떠오르고 있습니다. 방위, 에너지, 문화 협력 분야에서 OTS가 보여준 통합된 행동의 잠재력은 이들 국가 간의 협력 가능성을 강조합니다.

한국이 OTS와 협력하게 되면 상당한 이점을 얻을 수 있습니다. 이 블록은 한국의 기존 관계를 보완하는 대체적인 동맹 체계를 제공하며, 전략적 옵션을 다양화합니다. 튀르키예와 튀르크 세계와 협력함으로써 한국은 한반도에 국한된 협소한 이익에 의존하는 관계를 줄일 수 있습니다.

떠오르는 힘: 튀르크 세계

중앙아시아에서의 튀르키예의 이니셔티브는 튀르크 세계와의 관계를 강화하기 위한 전략적 비전을 보여줍니다. 최근 무역, 인프라, 문화 교류 분야에서의 협력은 자립과 세계적 영향력에 대한 지역의 집단적 의지를 증명합니다. 한국이 이 비전에 맞추어 협력하면 엄청난 이익을 얻을 수 있습니다. 튀르키예와 튀르크 국가들과의 긴밀한 관계는 새로운 시장에 접근하고, 경제 파트너십을 다양화하며, 한국의 국가 이익을 보호하는 데 중요한 보안 체계를 제공할 것입니다.

또한 이러한 재정렬은 이들 국가를 단결시키는 역사적 유대를 기리는 것이기도 합니다. 한국과 튀르크 세계 간의 문화적 친화성과 공유된 가치는 경제를 넘어 기술, 교육, 문화 외교와 같은 분야로 협력을 확장할 수 있는 강력한 기반을 제공합니다.

전략적 필연성

한국의 현재 동맹은 중요하지만, 한계도 존재합니다. 변화하는 지정학적 환경은 국제 관계에 대한 더 광범위한 접근 방식을 요구합니다. 튀르키예의 입증된 충성심, 튀르크 세계 내에서의 전략적 리더십, 그리고 혈맹으로서의 관계는 한국에게 상호 지원과 가족과 같은 장기적 협력의 가치를 이해하는 파트너를 제공합니다.

튀르키예와의 관계를 강화하고 OTS와 협력함으로써, 한국은 전통적인 경계를 초월한 다양화된 동맹 네트워크의 핵심 플레이어로 자리 잡을 수 있습니다. 이러한 접근 방식은 한국의 튀르키예와의 역사적 혈맹 관계와 일치할 뿐만 아니라 현대 지정학의 복잡성을 헤쳐 나가기 위한 파트너로서 튀르크 세계의 광대한 잠재력을 인식합니다.

결론

한국의 미래는 더 광범위하고 포괄적인 외교 전략을 수용하는 데 달려 있습니다. 세계적이고 지역적 강국으로 떠오르는 튀르키예 및 튀르크 세계와의 파트너십은 단순히 공유된 역사에 대한 존중일 뿐만 아니라 다양화되고 탄력적인 국제적 입지를 위한 실용적인 움직임입니다. 세계는 한반도의 경계를 훨씬 넘어서 있으며, 한국은 튀르키예와 튀르크 세계의 “혈맹”과 협력할 기회를 포착해야 합니다. 이러한 길은 강력한 동맹, 상호 존중, 안전, 공동 번영, 지속적인 연대의 유산을 약속합니다.

이브라힘 쿠르툴루스
튀르키예 커뮤니티 활동가

명예 대한민국 시민

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December 26, 2024
The Civilizations of Turkey: Emperors in Istanbul

Turkey, standing at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilisations, is the focus for a special exhibition held at the National Museum of Korea, Seoul. Titled ‘The Civilizations of Turkey: Emperors in Istanbul‘ – the exhibition explores the various legacies of the Hittites, Greek and Roman empires, the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.

Visitors to this exhibition will be delighted to see 184 artefacts, shown for the first time in Korea. The lenders for this exhibition includes important Turkish institutions like the Topkapi Palace Museum, the Museum of ANatolian Civilizations, the Istanbul Archaeological Museums, and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts.

The exhibition is divided into four sections below:

Hittites and Ancient Civilizations,

Alexandros and the Hellenistic World,

Constantinus I and Eastern Roman Empire,

Sultan, the Ottoman Emperor

Thus providing the visitors opportunities to experience the rich and splendid diversity of culture and civilizations found in Turkey.

via The Civilizations of Turkey: Emperors in Istanbul.

May 7, 2012
Ask a Korean!: What do Koreans Think About Turkey?

What do Koreans Think About Turkey?

Dear Korean,

I always wondered what Korean people think about Turkey and Turkish people. I was in high school during 2002 World Cup. I was shocked when i see the large Turkish flag on the stadium carried by Koreans. Maybe there were always a love for Korean people in Turkish community. But that was the time I realized that. Two cultures have many similarities, and during the Korean War Turkey sent soldiers to Korea and there is a cemetery for Turkish soldiers in Busan. And during World Cup we felt like we were at our homeland.

Do new generation know about Turkey and Turkish people. What they know and think about us?

Ishak M.

The Korean receives many questions of a similar type: “What do Korean people think about [Country X]?” In most cases, the answer is simple — unless Country X is a country with which Korea interacts frequently (e.g., United States, Japan, China,) Koreans are unlikely to have any strong feelings about the country one way or the other. Any thoughts Koreans may have about that country would be no more than fleeting, inconsequential stereotypes.

But there are a few countries around the world that are exceptions to this trend — that is, although Korea does not interact with them all that frequently, Koreans nonetheless have a relatively concrete feeling toward them. Turkey is one of those countries.

Koreans supporting Turkish national soccer team during 2002 FIFA World Cup

in a game against China, held in Seoul. (source)

Why Turkey? For this simple reason — during Korean War, Turkey sent soldiers in aid of South Korea. In fact, Turkey sent the most number of soldiers (5,460) after the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, and had the most number of casualties (741 dead, 2,068 wounded, 163 MIA) following United States and United Kingdom among those countries that sent soldiers.

One should never underestimate just how grateful South Koreans are about being helped in that war. To this day, most Koreans would first associate Turkey with “blood ally” [혈맹]. It also helps that, since the end of the war, Turkey and Korea have maintained a healthy distance that is so crucial to a good friendship. (This is in contrast to the United States, which undoubtedly did a lot of things to annoy Koreans partially because it has been a little too close, eating away at the good will it earned by having been the greatest help in Korean War.) The fact that Korean pop culture ended up being popular in Turkey later is just gravy.

via Ask a Korean!: What do Koreans Think About Turkey?.

April 15, 2012
Turkey Amenable to South Korea’s Nuclear Energy Proposals

By. Joao Peixe

Turkey’s Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan told reporters during a meeting with South Korean Knowledge Economy Minister Choi Joong-Kyung in Seoul, “My ministry and the Turkish government are open to every proposal by South Korean companies over the issue of nuclear power plants.”

Turkey is expected to attract new investment from South Korea totaling $2.5 billion following the anticipated signing of a free trade agreement between the countries soon, Turkey’s Anadolu Ajansi reported.

Caglayan told journalists, “More investments will come to Turkey under the FTA. We have solved many problems during the visit. We have removed the obstructions in front of the FTA to a great extend. Hyundai earlier said it could not invest in Turkey as there was not a FTA. A Free Trade Agreement will enable many South Korean companies to invest in Turkey.”

Turkey intends to build two nuclear plants, one in Akkuyu on the Mediterranean coast, to be constructed by Russia’s state-owned atomic power company ROSATOM with an estimated cost around $20 billion. The Akkuyu facility’s construction will start in two years, with its first reactor planned to come online and begin generating electricity in 2018. Turkey’s second nuclear plant is planned to be built in the Black Sea province of Sinop. Turkey had been negotiating with Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power company, the owner and operator of Japan’s stricken Fukushima facility, which last week informed Turkey that it had withdrawn from the project, opening the way for potential South Korean involvement.

Source: https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Turkey-Amenable-To-South-Koreas-Nuclear-Energy-Proposals.html

By. Joao Peixe, Deputy Editor OilPrice.com

via Turkey Amenable to South Korea’s Nuclear Energy Proposals.

August 30, 2011
Demand for Korean language classes rises as Turks discover hallyu

ISTANBUL ― At many K-pop fan group and Korea-related community meetings in Turkey, it is not difficult to find young Turkish people speaking Korean phrases.

Most of the Korean-speaking youngsters are self-taught: using Internet sites that teach Korean or learning by watching Korean dramas and picking up words and phrases.

With the number of fans of Korean dramas and K-pop quickly growing, so has the demand for Korean language classes.

“We noticed the rising interest in Korean language two to three years ago,” said Kim Gun-su, manager of King Sejong Institute’s Istanbul branch. The Korean Culture and Information Service currently operates two King Sejong Institutes, Korean language schools, in Turkey ― one in Istanbul and another in Ankara ― at language institutes operated by Ankara University. The Korean government would like to expand the school to a total of 12 throughout the country.

At the Istanbul branch, which opened its doors in January 2011, 33 students are learning Korean at three different levels. The classes are taught by three Korean teachers who are long-term residents of Turkey who also have more than 20 years of teaching experience in Korea. Each term lasts 48 hours with two three-hour classes each week.

“We are using a combination of different textbooks to find one that is most suitable for Turkish-speaking people,” said Kim. “The problem with these textbooks is that they were created for foreigners living in Korea. We need textbooks designed for foreigners living outside Korea,” he explained.

While most Korean language classes in Korea are taught completely in Korean, here, grammar is explained briefly in Turkish before extensive drills take place.

The students range from teenagers to those in their 30s. “About half of them are interested in Korean culture, about 30 percent wish to work in Korean companies and some 15 percent are preparing to study at college level in Korea,” Kim explained.

At a class that has been learning Korean for six months, students speak in clear Korean. “Turkish language is similar to Korean,” says Havva Mizrak who first learned Korean on the Internet and through K-pop. Others have learnt Korean through Arirang TV’s “Let’s Learn Korean.” Another student said, “College studies are difficult but Korean lessons are okay,” in fluent Korean.

While the students found pronunciation to be the most difficult aspect of learning Korean, they generally make quick progress. “I expect that they will be able to complete intermediate level classes after the first year,” said Kim.

Since the goal of the King Sejong Institute is to promote Korean language as widely as possible, the school offers discounted tuition for school students, Korea-related fan club administrators and people engaged in providing Turkish subtitles to Korean dramas and films.

Mehtap Gatar, a junior majoring in international relations at Istanbul University, who has been studying Korean for six months at the King Sejong Institute, will soon be leaving for Korea where she will spend a year as an exchange student at University of Seoul. She is the first King Sejong Institute student to be going to Korea to study. She expects to take five courses taught in English and Korean language classes. “I want to learn the culture of Korea. And I want to be a bridge between Korea and Turkey,” Gatar said.

By Kim Hoo-ran, Korea Herald correspondent ([email protected])

via .

July 8, 2011
China’s Defense Budget Draws Concern

BEIJING—Japan expressed concern over China’s planned double-digit rise in defense spending this year, highlighting trepidation in the region about China’s escalating military and economic might after a week of fresh Chinese territorial confrontations with Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Japan Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara urged the Chinese government to be more transparent about how it planned to use its newfound military firepower, saying, “Whether it should be regarded as offensive or defensive would require a close look.”

The comments came after China announced plans early Friday to increase its defense budget by 13% this year and as the week’s clashes built on concerns that China will increasingly use its escalating military power to assert its territorial claims in the region

Such fears have prompted many of its neighbors to to shore up defense ties with the U.S. and beef up their own militaries, threatening to push Asia into a new arms race.

China expects to spend 601.1 billion yuan ($91.4 billion) on defense in 2011, up from 533.4 billion yuan last year, Li Zhaoxing, spokesman for the National People’s Congress, told a news conference ahead of the start of the legislature’s annual session on Saturday.

The projected rise is faster than last year’s 7.5% increase—the slowest clip in decades—but is significantly slower than the roughly 19% annual growth in years before 2010.

The headline figure does not, however, include key items such as arms imports and the program to develop a stealth fighter and an aircraft carrier, according to foreign military experts who estimate that China’s real defense spending is far higher.

Mr. Li said the military budget would be used for purposes including “appropriate armament development,” training and human resources, while stressing that it remained relatively low as a proportion of China’s GDP and overall budget, and dismissing concerns that it threatened neighboring countries.

“China’s defense spending is relatively low in the world,” he said. “Every bit of China’s limited military strength will be used for safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. He reiterated China’s oft-repeated refrain that its efforts “will not pose a threat to any country.”

On Wednesday, Japan scrambled fighter jets to chase off two Chinese military planes which it said flew within 34 miles of disputed islands in the East China Sea, which are known as Senkaku in Japan and as Diaoyu in China.

Japanese government spokesman Yukio Edano said Japan would not protest formally as the Chinese planes did not leave international airspace, but he also voiced concern over China’s growing military power and said Japan would monitor the situation. China’s Foreign Ministry didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Relations between Asia’s two biggest economies plunged to their lowest point in years in September following collisions near the islands between two Japanese coast guard patrol boats and a Chinese fishing vessel.

In December, Japan, which in 2010 was surpassed by China as the world’s No. 2 economy, revised its national defense guidelines, which were drawn up during the Cold War, to shift focus away from Russia and toward the emerging threat from China.

China’s more forceful stance on territorial issues has also alarmed other countries in the region.

On Wednesday, the Philippines deployed two war planes to protect oil explorers who complained that they were being harassed by two Chinese patrol boats in a disputed area of the South China Sea.

The Philippine government demanded an explanation Friday for the incident at Reed Bank near the Spratly Islands, which are claimed by China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Chinese Embassy spokesman Ethan Sun reiterated his country’s claim to the Spratly Islands and adjacent waters, but said Beijing was committed to maintaining peace and stability in the area and resolving disputes through peaceful negotiations, according to the Associated Press.

South Korea’s Coast Guard said Friday it seized two Chinese fishing boats and their crews on Thursday after they were found fishing illegally in South Korea’s Exclusive Economic Zone, 64 miles southwest of Keokrulbiyeol island in the west sea.

During the process, one South Korean policeman was hurt by a weapon wielded by Chinese fishermen, and one Chinese fisherman was shot in his leg, the coast guard said.

China’s Foreign Ministry didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on that incident.

Chinese officials and academics have toned down their rhetoric this year in an apparent bid to address concerns that China is becoming increasingly assertive on territorial claims, and that it plans to challenge U.S. military supremacy in the Asia-Pacific region.

In January, China jolted the region with a test flight of a new stealth jet fighter, indicating that China is further along in using the advanced technology than previous Pentagon statements had suggested.

China is also developing an antiship ballistic missile that could threaten U.S. naval vessels in the Asia-Pacific region, where the U.S. has long been dominant.

However, Mr. Li pointed out that China’s military spending accounted for only about 6% of China’s national budget, which he said was lower than in recent years—and well below the level of the U.S.

The defense budget “will see some increase, but the ratio of spending to GDP is quite low—lower than in many countries,” he added.

The Wall Street Journal

March 4, 2011