On 15 October 2026, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Lee Wonjae, hosted a reception in Ashgabat to mark the National Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day.
Rahimberdi Jepbarov, Chairman of the Board of the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan and Co-Chair of the Korea-Turkmenistan Intergovernmental Joint Commission, attended as the chief guest on behalf of the Government of Turkmenistan.
Here is a full text of Ambassador Lee Wonjae’s speech:
Dear Mr. Rahimberdi Jepbarov, Chairman of the Board of the State Bank for Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan, Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps,
On behalf of the 50 million citizens of the Republic of Korea and the 7 million members of the Korean diaspora living overseas, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you for attending this solemn ceremony marking the National Foundation Day and Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Korea.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Turkmenistan on the 35th anniversary of its independence.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to extend my deep gratitude to His Excellency Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, and His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen People, and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, for their efforts to advance the development of Turkmenistan and strengthen Korean-Turkmen relations.
Our distinguished guest today, Mr. Jepbarov, serves as the Co-Chair of the Korea-Turkmenistan Intergovernmental Joint Commission and actively promotes the development of economic cooperation between our two countries.
In September, You esteemed Mr. Jepbarov, accompanied the Head of State during his state visit to the Republic of Korea. Today, despite your busy schedule, you have kindly made time to attend our reception.
Please accept my sincere gratitude for the special attention you to devote to the development of our bilateral relations and for your personal efforts to further strengthen them.
October 3 marks the National Foundation Day of the Republic of Korea, known as Gaecheonjeol, which literally translates as “the Day the Heavens Opened.”
This national holiday commemorates the founding of the first Korean state in 2333 BC.
October 1 also marked the 78th anniversary of the establishment of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea.
Today, the Republic of Korea’s Armed Forces have evolved into a modern, high-tech military. With the trust and support of the Korean people, they contribute to maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula and around the world.
In just half a century, the Republic of Korea has achieved industrialization, democratization, and digitalization.
Once a recipient of international assistance, the country has now become a donor, providing assistance to others.
A country that once lacked the capacity to produce even a single rifle has now become a leading player in the global defense industry, earning the trust of countries around the world.
And a country that once admired the cultural achievements of other nations has now captured the hearts of people around the world with its own vibrant culture.
Building on these remarkable achievements, the Republic of Korea pursues a pragmatic, national interest-oriented foreign policy while further strengthening its role as a responsible member of the international community and contributing to global efforts.
As we broaden our diplomatic horizons, Central Asia, the heart of Eurasia, and in particular, Turkmenistan, with its tremendous potential and dynamic development, are key and highly valued partners for the Republic of Korea for many years to come.
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, the Republic of Korea and Turkmenistan have elevated their bilateral ties to the level of a “mutually beneficial partnership” in 2008. Through high-level exchanges, the two countries have laid a solid foundation for practical cooperation across a wide range of fields.
His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, has visited the Republic of Korea on three occasions. In turn, three Presidents of the Republic of Korea have visited Turkmenistan.
Last month, His Excellency Serdar Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan, paid his first state visit to the Republic of Korea since assuming office to attend the inaugural Republic of Korea–Central Asia Summit.
During the bilateral talks held on September 15, the leaders of the two countries agreed to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas, including energy and industrial construction, infrastructure, shipbuilding, the development of a new city, water resources, forestry, artificial intelligence, science, and technology.
Following the talks, the two sides exchanged 13 intergovernmental agreements and memoranda of understanding in areas including investment, customs cooperation, water resources management, forestry, intellectual property, justice, youth policy, combating transnational crime, and ensuring public safety.
Further expansion of cooperation between Korean companies and Turkmenistan is anticipated. The 14 memoranda of understanding signed in areas such as the modernization of the Karakum Canal, transport and logistics, the production of fiber-optic cables and steel pipes, and the maintenance of oil refining facilities will serve as a foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation, combining Turkmenistan’s abundant resources with Korea’s advanced technologies.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the representatives of Daewoo E&C, Hyundai Corporation, KSIT, S&T, Yuhan Tech, and other Korean companies. Through your activities in Turkmenistan, you are making a significant contribution to the economic development of both countries.
Korean-Turkmen cooperation extends beyond the economic sphere. With the launch of direct flights last year, Seoul and Ashgabat have become even closer. Starting at the end of this month, direct flights are expected to operate twice a week instead of once.
Korean dramas, music, and the rich diversity of Korean cuisine have gained popularity around the world, contributing to growing interest in learning the Korean language in Turkmenistan.
Thanks to Korean language classes at the Azadi National Institute of World Languages, Secondary School No. 88, the King Sejong Institute in Ashgabat, and the Information Access Center, more than 2,000 young people in Turkmenistan study Korean every year, becoming a vital bridge connecting the future of our two countries.
In addition, approximately 200 students take part in the annual Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Tournament, organized by our Embassy in cooperation with the National Taekwondo Center of Turkmenistan. This tournament goes beyond a sporting competition, serving as an important platform for fostering and strengthening mutual understanding.
The “Korean Culture Week,” organized annually by our Embassy, has consistently enjoyed great success, attracting large numbers of visitors.
In September this year, on the occasion of the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan, the “Days of Turkmen Culture” were held in the Republic of Korea on a grand scale.
I would also like to invite you to take an interest in the upcoming “Korean Culture Week,” which will be held early next month. I hope that such opportunities will continue to grow in the future, enabling the younger generations to become more familiar with languages and cultures of both countries and to develop a deeper mutual understanding.
At the same time, the Republic of Korea and Turkmenistan are working together to promote peace and prosperity around the world.
The Republic of Korea has consistently supported various initiatives put forward by Turkmenistan on the international stage.
During the recent high-level talks, His Excellency President Serdar Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed
Turkmenistan’s unwavering support for our Government’s policy on the Korean Peninsula and expressed his readiness to cooperate in this regard.
Today, as the security of our countries is more interconnected than ever before, the Republic of Korea and Turkmenistan will continue to work closely together to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and around the world.
At the end of my speech, I would like to once again express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Turkmenistan for its invaluable assistance in ensuring the safe evacuation of our citizens and their family members from Iran during periods of heightened tensions in the Middle East last year and this year.
Building on the deep trust and friendship demonstrated during challenging times, the Republic of Korea and Turkmenistan will continue to strengthen their cooperation, deliver tangible benefits to the citizens of both countries, and work together to build a new future.
Thank you for your kind attention! ///nCa, 15 October 2026
Here are some photos from the event:
