President Moon Encourages Ambassador to Afghanistan: "Proud of Your Tireless Dedication to Duty"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in encouraged Ambassador Choi Tae-ho to Afghanistan and the embassy staff, saying, "Thank you for carrying out your duties without hesitation despite the dangers."

The Blue House announced that at 4 p.m. on the 30th, President Moon had a phone call with Ambassador Choi and conveyed a message of encouragement to him and the staff of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Choi had previously stayed behind in Afghanistan to struggle to evacuate the last Korean national and ultimately succeeded in escaping together.

President Moon encouraged Ambassador Choi, saying, "Thank you for making our country proud by carrying out your duties without sparing yourself despite the risks."

He added, "I consider the main reason for success was that you stayed in Afghanistan until the end to persuade and care for our diplomatic staff and nationals to evacuate them all, and that our embassy staff went back into Kabul to bring Afghan helpers and their families to Korea."

He also expressed gratitude to the embassy staff. President Moon said, "I am thankful to all the embassy staff who volunteered for this work, but especially please convey my special thanks to the person who performed their duties despite losing their mother and not being able to attend the funeral, and to the person who did not inform their family in Seoul about returning to Kabul."

In response, Ambassador Choi said, "It was something I naturally had to do as a public official," and added, "As the head of the mission, I am relieved that overseas Koreans, embassy staff, and Afghan locals who helped our government were all able to evacuate to safe places."

When Ambassador Choi expressed concern, saying, "I worry whether the Afghans who arrived in Korea will settle in well," President Moon replied, "I was surprised that the residents of Jincheon and our people warmly welcomed them," adding, "Jincheon residents hung welcome banners, citizens supported with donations, and a campaign to purchase Jincheon products is underway."

President Moon encouraged Ambassador Choi, saying, "I know that you previously served as ambassador to Iraq and last summer, when the COVID-19 situation worsened there, you played a role in transporting nearly 300 Korean workers back to Korea."

Meanwhile, President Moon was first briefed on the evacuation plan for Afghan helpers earlier this month. He said, "Although I was worried about various issues including safety amid the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan, I decided to proceed because I believed it was a natural duty to evacuate Afghans who helped our government to Korea."

He added, "Close cooperation with allied countries, especially the United States, was important throughout all processes including the withdrawal of our diplomatic staff and nationals and the evacuation of locals, and I am grateful for that."

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