President of Uzbekistan tells President Moon, "My granddaughter speaks Korean very well"

President Moon's Phone Call with Uzbekistan President... Special Ties with Korea, Discussion on Bilateral Issues

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] "My granddaughter speaks Korean very well." Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said this during a phone call with President Moon Jae-in on the afternoon of the 6th. The call between the two leaders was made at the request of the Uzbek president. The reason the two leaders talked about the Uzbek president's granddaughter is that she was born in Korea.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, said, "At the beginning of today's call, when President Moon asked about President Mirziyoyev's wife and family, especially the third granddaughter born in Korea, President Mirziyoyev said, 'Thank you for mentioning my granddaughter.'"

President Mirziyoyev's second daughter lived in Korea for five years (November 2011 to July 2016). The granddaughter was born in Seoul in October 2015. The call between the two presidents was arranged to discuss bilateral issues via phone as visiting Korea became difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Kang explained, "President Moon had a 35-minute phone call with Uzbek President Mirziyoyev starting at 3 p.m., during which they exchanged broad opinions on ways to develop bilateral relations and other mutual interests."

President Mirziyoyev expressed, "We are very grateful for Korea's COVID-19 support, including dispatching medical experts and providing quarantine supplies," and added, "President Moon's comprehensive COVID-19 crisis response program is very effective, and we are learning a lot from it."

President Moon said, "I am pleased that the cooperation between our two countries in responding to COVID-19 has gone well," and added, "Our two countries are members of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) headquartered in Seoul, and I ask for your interest and support so that the institute's role in equitable vaccine development and distribution can be further strengthened."

President Mirziyoyev stated, "I support President Moon's appeal made at the recent United Nations General Assembly (September 21) regarding ensuring equitable access to vaccines and treatments," and said, "We will closely cooperate with IVI and spare no effort to jointly resolve these issues."

Regarding economic issues, President Moon said, "I am pleased that the joint study on the Korea-Uzbekistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), agreed upon during my visit to Uzbekistan in April last year, was successfully completed in July this year," and added, "Based on this, I hope consultations for concluding a trade agreement between our two countries can begin as soon as possible."

Spokesperson Kang explained, "President Mirziyoyev also agreed that the trade agreement between the two countries will serve as an opportunity to promote mutually beneficial economic cooperation between Korea and Uzbekistan and recognized the need to start consultations promptly."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "I hope many Korean companies will participate in projects such as the Mubarek power plant modernization project and the Bukhara oil refinery modernization project, which the Uzbek government is promoting, including gas combined cycle power plant construction and renewable energy sector projects, continuing to create exemplary cases of economic cooperation like the Surgil gas chemical plant project." President Mirziyoyev responded, "Korea is an important partner country for Uzbekistan," and said, "I will make sure that happens."

President Moon requested Uzbekistan's active participation in international events that the Korean government is planning to hold within the year, such as the '2nd Northern Forum' and the '13th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum.' President Mirziyoyev said, "I will send a congratulatory message to the 2nd Northern Forum," and added, "I support Korea's hosting of the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum."

They also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula peace process. President Mirziyoyev said, "I highly appreciate the president's efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "I hope President Moon's wish for peace between North and South Korea will surely come true."

President Moon said, "Our government will continue to strive for complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula," and expressed gratitude, "Thank you for consistently supporting our Korean Peninsula peace process." President Mirziyoyev said, "I will continue to support the Republic of Korea government in the future."

President Mirziyoyev said, "I have been preparing steadily to visit Korea to meet my dear friend, but due to the COVID-19 situation, it has been postponed," and suggested, "If the difficult situation due to COVID-19 continues until the end of the year, how about holding the summit meeting in a video conference format first?"

President Moon also said, "If an in-person meeting is difficult, a video summit is a good option," and added, "We will consult through diplomatic channels."

President Mirziyoyev concluded the call by saying, "I look forward to meeting my dear friend, President Moon, and it was a pleasure to have a warm conversation today," and added, "On behalf of my family, I wish you health, happiness, success, and prosperity, and please be sure to convey my regards to Mrs. Kim Jung-sook."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.