As a citizen of Korea, I am proud of the development of Turkmenistan, which is gaining international prestige”, Lee Ok Ryung, president of the Friendship Association between the Republic of Korea and Central Asian countries, said in an interview with the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper.

Sincerely congratulating the entire Turkmen people on the 30th anniversary of the independence of Turkmenistan, she noted that interest in Turkmenistan has been growing in Korea lately. “Our country looks forward to an active business partnership, taking into account mutually beneficial economic projects such as desertification prevention, renewable energy, gardening through smart farms,” said Lee Ok Ryung.

“President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, respected by the people of Turkmenistan, is wisely leading the country,” she continued, “this contributes to its stability and prosperity, maintains the status of a neutral state and resolves issues important for the whole world in partnership with the UN.”

The election of Turkmenistan as a member of the Executive Committee of UN-Women for 2022–2024, in her opinion, can be regarded as an international recognition of the efforts of the government of Turkmenistan to involve women in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres of the country, including the development and implementation of the National Action Plan on ensuring gender equality for 2021–2025.

Focusing on the historical proximity of the peoples of the two states, Lee Ok Ryung emphasized that cultural similarity and similarity of mentality contribute to the strengthening of friendship between the inhabitants of both countries and mutual understanding.

“Turkmenistan,” she said, “is a country in Central Asia, rich in natural resources, with high potential in all aspects, including World Cultural Heritage sites, including Akhal-Teke horses, as well as natural treasures - the Caspian Sea and medicinal plants that grow in Turkmenistan ".

Literally from the first visit to Turkmenistan in 2005, the Association has consistently taken part in cultural exchange events. So, with the participation of the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, the Association held bilateral actions, including performances by traditional performing groups from both countries and academic seminars organized by research institutes of the Academy of Sciences, as well as traditional art performances and master classes from culinary specialists.

“Our Association will continue to strive to further enrich and strengthen friendship in various fields, expanding the space for mutual exchange both online and offline,” she emphasized.

“I really miss the beautiful city of Ashgabat and the hospitable Turkmen people and I look forward to the situation with the coronavirus pandemic stabilizing so that we can meet again on the friendly Turkmen land,” the President of the Friendship Association between the Republic of Korea and Central Asian countries said at the end of the interview. Lee Ok Ryung.