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| Municipal workers cover the charred city hall building for repair work in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Thursday. Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has blamed the unrest on foreign-backed terrorists and requested assistance from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a Russia-led military alliance of six former Soviet states. AP-Yonhap |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
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| Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Korea Bakyt Dyussenbayev / Courtesy of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Korea |
Kazakhstan Ambassador to Korea Bakyt Dyussenbayev said that the situation in Kazakhstan is stabilized now and that constitutional order has been restored in all regions.
"On Jan. 11, the president of Kazakhstan made an address to the people, where new political and economic reforms were announced. A new prime minister was also appointed and an updated composition of ministers was formed. All cities, including Almaty, are returning to normal life and restoration work is underway," the ambassador told The Korea Times via an e-mail interview, Thursday.
The unrest in in the Central Asian country loomed even larger for Koreans, as a Korean passenger plane was grounded in Kazakhstan's largest city of Almaty for over a week. An Asiana Airlines flight arrived at the Almaty International Airport on Jan. 5 and was grounded there as well, as the airport was taken over by anti-government protestors.
"The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Korea promptly informed the government of Kazakhstan about this situation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea and our embassy actively cooperated on this issue," he said.
The airport resumed operations, and the Asiana flight was able to depart Almaty Thursday and arrived in Korea the same day, after eight days of being grounded.
"The crew members and passengers are safe. In general, at present, there are no victims or injured among the citizens of the Republic of Korea."
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| Passengers arrive at Incheon International Airport on a Korean passenger jet from Almaty International Airport in Kazakhstan, Thursday, eight days after the plane was grounded in the Central Asian nation, which was gripped by turmoil. Yonhap |
Dyussenbayev said that the aggression was aimed at destabilizing the internal political situation.
"The terrorists wanted to take over the country and disrupt public order. I can say with full confidence that all foreign citizens, organizations and property of companies are under the protection of the state," he said.
The ambassador said that Kazakhstan will continue to cooperate closely with the international community as the country restores normalcy after the unrest.
"Of course, colossal damage was done to the image of Kazakhstan. But, I do not think that the events that have taken place will somehow negatively affect the international relations of Kazakhstan. The leaders of various countries hold talks with the government of Kazakhstan on a daily basis. Our country still takes a leading role in Central Asia, both politically and economically," he said.
The ambassador highlighted the importance of relations between Kazakhstan and Korea as Kazakhstan is the largest trade and economic partner of Korea in the Central Asia region.
"The Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea are strategic partners. And during the state visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Republic of Korea, which took place in August 2021, our relations were raised to the level of an expanded strategic partnership. One of the important events was the transfer of the remains of the hero, General Hong Beom-do, to the Korean side," he said.
The trade turnover between the two countries from January to November 2021 amounted to $3 billion and Korea has invested over $6.3 billion in Kazakhstan over the past 15 years. Many Korean companies, including Samsung Electronics, Shinhan Bank, SK, POSCO, Korea National Oil Corp. and Hyundai Motor, operate in Kazakhstan.
According to Dyussenbayev, Kazakhstan ensures the security and protection of foreign diplomatic missions in the country, as well as the personnel and property of foreign companies and investors. There will be no changes to the economic policy and investment climate of the country.
"For foreign companies, a separate situational headquarters has been created, which works constantly, and a call center has been installed on the basis of the national company, Kazakh Invest, for a quick response. In general, work in this direction has been established and is being carried out," he explained.
