A homeland predetermined by fate

Last year, the public celebrated the 85th anniversary of the Koreans' residence in Uzbekistan and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Country of Morning Freshness.
The Korean Diaspora has become an integral part of the multinational people of Uzbekistan. Its representatives make a worthy contribution to socio-economic development, strengthening friendship, and educating young people. They work selflessly in the fields of education, healthcare, culture and sports, and are successfully engaged in business. The merits of Uzbek Koreans are highly appreciated by the state — 300 leaders have been awarded. In 1991, the Association of Korean Cultural Centers of Uzbekistan (ACCCU) was established, which includes a society of scientists, journalists, businessmen and young activists. 
About how the Korean diaspora lives and develops in Uzbekistan, a conversation with Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Chairman of the Association of Korean Cultural Centers Viktor Park. 
— What are the reasons for the resettlement of Koreans and how was the integration into Uzbek society?
— The resettlement of Koreans from the Far East took place in 1937 on Stalin's orders. One of the announced reasons is the difficult situation in the territories of the former USSR bordering Japan and Korea, which is why the government decided to mass deport. Our ancestors set off on a long journey, barely having time to collect personal belongings and documents. I had to leave everything I had acquired in Primorye for years. This journey to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan was not easy and tragic.
I had to start all over again in a new place. The first years were the most difficult. But here the help of the local population was of great importance, which treated the migrants with understanding and compassion. Uzbekistan is rightfully proud of the fact that it has not denied anyone shelter and bread in difficult times. It was during those difficult years that the strong friendship of the Korean and Uzbek peoples was born. 
Of course, the generation of our grandfathers and parents had a very difficult time. It is difficult to imagine how much work they have invested to turn tugai and lands that were not previously suitable for cultivation into blooming gardens and fields. This titanic work resulted in record yields of cotton, rice, kenaf, corn, vegetables and fruits. 138 Koreans in the period from 1948 to 1976 were awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor. The famous chairman of the collective farm "Polar Star" Kim Pyong Hwa was twice awarded this award. It is no coincidence that there is a concept of "phenomenon of Korean collective farms", such as Polar Star, Sverdlov, Political Department, Pravda and others, which were famous not only for developed agricultural production, but also for advanced infrastructure for that time. We have found our Homeland in Uzbekistan. Representatives of the older generation laid the foundations of today's well-being. 
— Uzbek society is characterized by tolerance. No distinction is made on the basis of nationality, religion. How do representatives of the Korean diaspora with a unique culture and rich traditions feel this for themselves? 
— I have lived in Uzbekistan all my life and have never felt oppression on the basis of nationality. They study and communicate freely in different languages here. There are schools and courses in the country where teaching is conducted in Korean. It is cultivated at Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Nizami Pedagogical University. Branches of leading Korean universities — Puchon, Inha, Yeju and others - have been opened in Uzbekistan. The activities of national cultural centers are supported by the State. Friendship houses and NGOs have been opened in each region, where national centers are located. A competition of grant projects is announced annually in order to strengthen the material and technical base of the association and its structures. Last year marked the 85th anniversary of the resettlement of Koreans and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Korea, the same year our association celebrated. A gala concert was dedicated to these significant dates, which took place at the Peoples' Friendship Palace, organized by the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Relations with Foreign Countries and the Association of Korean Cultural Centers.
Every year we celebrate the harvest festival of Chusok, at the beginning of the year — Sollal (new year according to the lunar calendar). Koreans freely realize their potential, become prominent businessmen, cultural figures, and civil servants. This vividly illustrates that our country values the diversity of cultures. 
— Viktor Nikolaevich, being the chairman of the Association of Korean Cultural Centers, tell us in more detail what it does.
— The Association of Korean Cultural Centers of Uzbekistan is designed to unite representatives of our diaspora, help them learn the language, culture and traditions, as well as make their life brighter and more interesting. There are branches of the association in almost every region, and in Tashkent — in every district. Circles work in them. Our golden fund consists of people of retirement age who find friends and like—minded people here, contribute to the preservation of traditions.
We strive to cover all areas of life. You can learn about the news of the Diaspora from the newspaper "Koreans of Uzbekistan" and on the YouTube channel KoryoTV. ACCCU is also active in the field of international cooperation. We receive government delegations, activists from Uzbekistan visit the Republic of Korea for professional development, exchange of experience, familiarization with the culture and lifestyle of the historical homeland. At the end of last year, the association signed a memorandum of understanding and mutual cooperation with the metropolitan city of Incheon. The document provides for the opening of the Office for Foreign Koreans in Incheon and the creation of a museum of the history of Koreans in Uzbekistan. 
There is also a club of Korean entrepreneurs "Koryoin" at AKCU, which helps our businessmen to exchange experience, establish business and friendly ties, consolidate resources for launching projects. The youth center "Shinsedae" is designed to form active youth, future leaders of the nation. Established businessmen pass on their accumulated experience to the younger shift, act as mentors, teach leadership and work in a team.
— Young people are mobile now. In addition, all conditions are created for her to manifest her abilities. What are the preferences of the younger generation of Uzbek Koreans? Is there an outflow from the country? After all, such a trend will eventually lead to the aging of the diaspora and its gradual disappearance.
— Indeed, now many able-bodied Koreans are leaving for South Korea. The reason is high earnings. But we are promoting the realization of the potential of Koreans here.
For example, for several years the youth center "Shinsedae" and the club of Korean entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan "Koryoin" with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea have been holding a competition for the best business idea. Its goal is to motivate our youth to generate ideas and open a business. 
After the selection, mentors from prominent Korean entrepreneurs are appointed to the participants. Under the guidance of mentors, startups are finalizing the project. Getting an assessment of an experienced businessman is worth a lot. And this is just one example. Many participants found investors after the competition and implemented their plans.
— Did the presence of Korean immigrants in Uzbekistan affect the establishment of interstate relations between the two countries and what did the interaction for each of the parties give?
— The presence of a strong Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan played an important role in the fact that relations between our countries have reached the level of strategic partnership. It is the Koreans of Uzbekistan who are assigned the role of a bridge connecting our peoples. The Republic of Korea is proud of its compatriots who have been able to achieve success abroad, and supports them all over the world. 
The relations between our countries have given a lot to both sides. Let's look at the statistics for 2022. The Republic of Korea ranks fifth in terms of foreign trade turnover with Uzbekistan. We export for 48.1 million dollars, and import for 2 billion 292.5 million dollars.
South Korea supports reforms and accelerated development of Uzbekistan. Among the significant recent initiatives are the allocation of 330 thousand dollars for the development of "electronic government" and "digital" economy, 12 million dollars for the opening of an experimental workshop for processing rare metals in AGMK, 3.7 million dollars for a project to introduce modern Korean technologies for year—round strawberry cultivation. 
For students from Uzbekistan, there are grants that allow them to get an education at the best universities of the Republic of Korea. In turn, Korean higher education institutions are opening branches in Uzbekistan. The main thing is that the partners are not going to stop there. Our relations will deepen, become stronger and bring more and more benefits to both sides.