Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — “After serving as Consul General for three years and eight months, I am leaving Jeddah with never-to-be-forgotten memories. My life in this most vibrant and dynamic city in the Kingdom was full of interesting experience and new challenges,” said Nak-Young OH consul general of Korea, who will be leaving for home on completing his tenure.

“The time I spent in Jeddah was a time of dramatic changes and adaptation to them. Even all sorts of little trials and errors I underwent are now wonderful memories as well as valuable lessons to me. I am grateful to have served as Korea’s Consul General during the Kingdom’s transitional period, with growing momentum among young generations to open up for more innovations and technological advancement.”

“During my term of office, I have focused on three clear principles: strategic partnership based on mutually shared vision, future-oriented approach toward the coming post-oil era, and creativity based on convergence high-techs. In searching for potential or promising projects, I paid attention to what Saudi society needs than what Korea does.”

On the changes he has witnessed in Jeddah, OH said: “Since I arrived at Jeddah in April 2014, I have witnessed big changes in circumstances, from the prolonged low oil-price, global economic downturn and its serious consequences as well as the advent of a new age, the so-called the fourth Industrial Revolution. The Saudi government has taken step-by-step measures to break through such challenges, such as reducing oil-dependency, boosting industrial diversification and opening doors toward foreign partners.”

“I think it is timely and right that Saudi leadership has launched a long journey under Saudi Vision 2030 and National Transformation Plan, which will surely lead the country into more bright and sustainable future. The key to success lies largely upon all stake-holders to move in the same direction, with dauntless challenge and action, not just repeated talks.”

The two examples of Jeddah Chamber delegation’s visit to Korea in October and Jeddah Korea Business Show reflect the substantive achievements based on the accumulated efforts of the Consul General’s nearly 4-year term as the chief of Korean Mission in Jeddah, promising great future for Korea-Saudi Arabia’s ever-expanding bilateral relations.

OH believes that genuine human interaction at grassroots level as the most valuable diplomatic tool, particularly in Saudi Arabia, according to the gradual generational shift that is taking place in the Kingdom. Therefore, OH has tried to connect with all Saudis regardless of age, gender and social group in various events. He is grateful that he has shared great memories and was able to connect with many Saudis, ranging from university students at cultural events to government officials at formal meetings.

His focus on people-to-people interaction can be attributed as one of the reasons why he could have the honor of winning the 2017 Best Korean Diplomat’s Award. To OH, despite its early stage, female entrepreneurship in the Kingdom is making important steps toward progress through various trials and errors. OH believes that failure is a necessary part of such important process and would like to encourage the female entrepreneurs to strive towards more substantive achievements. In that regard, he finds field experience fundamental to success and wishes that more female entrepreneurs and future leaders gain field experience, unafraid to make mistakes.

“Likewise, Korea has gone through a transformative drive towards a more transparent society, sustainable and future-oriented society. At the end of last October, Korea-Saudi Joint Committee was held in Seoul, and the special session on Saudi Vision 2030 was a matter of primary concern, attracting much attention from the participants. In short, Saudi Vision 2030 has provided valuable momentum for further expanding and deepening the existing cooperation between the two countries.”

On the common goals between Korea and Saudi Arabia: Korea-Saudi Arabia has shared important milestones in their development, from infrastructure projects back in the 70s and 80s to environmental and technological cooperation in waste management projects and other environmental projects today. “The common thread of this continuous bilateral relation is the principle of prioritizing human ties and improving the quality of life as the foremost value regardless of profit or financial gain,” OH said, while wishing to see the two countries’ relations strengthen based on the shared goal of sustainable development.

On the trade relations between Saudi Arabia and Korea, OH said, “The Jeddah Korea-Business Show that was held for the seventh consecutive year, is the only official channel which aims at introducing the latest innovations and technologies of Korean companies to Saudi business community in the Western region of KSA. Over 450 Korean companies from more than 13 key business sectors have participated in the show since its inauguration in 2011.”

Saudi Arabia is Korea’s No. 1 economic partner (largest trading partner) in the Middle East, and Korea is the Kingdom’s 5th largest trading partner. In 2016, the two-way trade volume has reached $29.04 billion with South Korea’s export of cars, electronic goods, steel and other items to Saudi Arabia and import of oil and other petrochemical products from the Kingdom.

Also on celebration of the 55th anniversary of Korea and Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic relations, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Jeddah has partnered with the Korean Ministry of Small and Medium-size Enterprises and Startups (MSS) for Jeddah Chamber delegations’ visit to Korea last October.

Over 100 Korea companies are actively investing in Saudi Arabia, with their investment size nearing $4 billion. Korea-Saudi Arabia’s investment relations have a great potential to grow and diversify under Vision 2030’s economic reforms that promote the importance of FDI (foreign direct investment), joint venture capitals and diversification of investment portfolio It is expected that Korean companies will implement some energy-related projects and joint-venture manufacturing projects soon.