To gauge the direction of cooperation between Korea and the world, Korea.net is running a series of interviews with ambassadors to Korea. This episode features Georgian Ambassador Otar Berdzenishvili, who speaks about bilateral relations between Korea and Georgia.

By Kim Minji and Yoon Sojung
Photos = Jeon Han
Video = Kim Sunjoo and Choi Taesoon
Seoul | May 8, 2019

Georgian Ambassador Otar Berdzenishvili says Korea and Georgia each have a unique language and history that make it much easier for the peoples of both nations to understand each other.

In an interview with Korea.net on May 8 at his embassy in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District, he said Korea and Georgia share a long and similar history in fighting for their independence and sovereignty, adding Korea should be proud of its history.

"(Culture and language) are how we defended ourselves, our culture, and our identity and nationality," he said.

The following are excerpts from the interview.





- What do Korea and Georgia have in common?

Korea and Georgia are among the oldest countries on the planet. We go back around 8,000 years and Korea 5,000. Both of our nations are in geographically challenging places in being surrounded by big countries but fought for independence.

Both countries are also trying to achieve peace, Korea for the Korean Peninsula and Georgia for its region.

The Georgian language is unique and so is Korean; each language is among the world's 14 to have their own alphabets. This means the formula for the survival of both Korea and Georgia is language. Language is also how we Georgians defended ourselves, our culture, and our identity and nationality.

- How do you see relations between the two countries?

Bilateral relations have grown each year since we established official ties in 1992, and they've increased dramatically over the last few years.

According to the World Bank Census this year, Korea ranks fifth in ease of doing business and Georgia sixth. So every month, small and medium companies are registering in Georgia.

What surprised me the most is that in early 2012, Georgia had only 1,000 visitors from Korea but last year, we had 14,000. This means a huge rise has been seen in the number of Korean tourists visiting my country.

- What sectors are the two countries most actively cooperating in?

First of all, I'd like to emphasize the energy sector because it's a crucial and important part of our relations in that our biggest investment in that industry is from Korea. For example, Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) is building one of the biggest hydropower plants in Georgia.

Another sector that I think is important and would like to emphasize is tourism. This sector has vast opportunities and is growing every day, so I am pushing it a lot. Since last year, Korean Air has run a chartered flight between Georgia and Incheon. Our vision is that within five years, Georgia will become another tourist hotspot. Moreover, I think we will definitely see the number of Korean visitors to Georgia triple soon.

- As an ambassador of Georgia, what sector are you most interested in?

That would be education. In Georgia, we have more than 150 students who passed the Test of Proficiency in Korean during the last five years. Dozens of memorandums of understanding have been signed by universities in both countries and scholars, experts and exchange students from Georgia have come to Korea.

Last year, the Literature Translation Institute of Korea translated modern Georgian novels into Korean, and I believe this is an opportunity for people from both countries to get to know each other.

- What is Georgia most famous for?

Georgia has been making wine for 8,000 years, and our wine making knowhow became a UNESCO Intangible Heritage in 2013.

In June this year, our national wine agency will make its first visit to Korea. We will have a big wine event at the Seoul COEX and other wine promotions.




kimmj7725@korea.kr