A very sincere and humble friend of Pakistan Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (ROK), H.E Suh Sangpyo has completed his tenure of service in Islamabad. He is leaving to continue his glowing career in USA. He played a highly constructive role in enhancing the bilateral cooperation and accomplished many joint ventures and projects during his time in Pakistan. His services to bridging the gaps between B-to-B and P-to-P will be remembered in the history of Pakistan RoK ties in golden words.
Ambassador Suh Sangpyo has said, ” My stay in Pakistan was wonderful and pleasant as well as highly friendly. I made many new friends here. Pakistan is country of both, challenges and opportunities.”
He stated this in a farewell in his honor at Serena Hotels on 26 June 2023. A large number of friends of Korea Embassy were invited on this occasion to wish the Ambassador the best for his future endeavors. Prominent among the guests were Senator Sehar Kamran, Senator Sitara Ayaz , Afan Aziz, the Honorary Consul of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Peshawar, MNA Naveed Aamir Jeewa, Representative of WHO Dr Palitha Mahipala, Federal Secretary Ghufran Memon government officials, business community representatives and media persons.
Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and cooperation the people and government of Pakistan extended to him during 2 and half years in deliverance his duty assigned by his government.
” Pakistan is a large country worth visiting. I have visited few cities in my service. I wish I could see more places in this hospitable and beautiful country. Pakistani people are kind and very friendly. I have made many friends here , Ambassador shared.
Ambassador Suh Sangpyo assumed the charge in Pakistan while COVID-19 pandemic has restricted all activities around the world. He started meeting with people and officials from all walks and sections. He covered the gap created by COVID within days.
Second memorable point was when Taliban took the control in Kabul in Aug 2021. It again generated a lot of activities for the diplomats in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ambassador played key role in saving the RoK nationals in Afghanistan.
H.E. MS. KANG KYUNG-WHA, FORMER MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT’S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR LABOR ISSUES, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, CALLED ON ADVISOR TO PM ON OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS MR. AYUB AFRIDI TO DISCUSS PROMOTION OF LABOR IN ISLAMABAD ON FEBRUARY 10, 2022
Mr. Suh Sangpyo accomplished a number of tasks and projects to promoting the bilateral cooperation. One big achievement was the number of Pakistani workers raised from 1 Thousand to 4 Thousand during his tenure.
On February 10, 2022 H.E. Ms. Kang Kyung-Wha, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and government’s special representative for labor issues, Republic of Korea, called on the Advisor to PM on Overseas Pakistanis Mr. Ayub Afridi. Ambassador Mr. Sangpyo Suh also accompanied the visiting dignitary.The increase in quota for Pakistani immigrants was discussed. 16% increased from 2021 to 2022 alone, and Korea will look at further increasing it by opening diverse employment sectors.
“Korean government highly values contributions of the Pakistani workers in its economic uplift and infrastructure growth, Ambassador noted.
On June 2022, South Korea pledged to provide $1 billion soft loan to Pakistan under the Economic Development Cooperation Fund. Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Mian Asad Hayaud Din, and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Suh Sangpyo signed an agreement in this regard.
The Government of Pakistan, on 15th May 2023, signed a Debt Service Suspension Agreement with the Republic of Korea amounting to deferment of payment of loans worth USD 19.911 million, under the G-20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) framework.This amount, initially had to be repaid between July and December 2021, will now be repaid over a period of six years (including one-year grace period) in semi-annual installments.
Due to the support extended by the development partners of Pakistan, the G-20 DSSI has provided the fiscal space which was necessary to deal with urgent health and economic needs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The total amount of debt, that is to be suspended under the DSSI framework, covering the period of repayment from May 2020 to December 2021, stands at USD 3,686 million.
On 18 Feb 2023, Former ambassador of south Korea Dr Song Jong Hwan arrived Islamabad with a business delegation from his country. The delegation consists of 40 members who belong to different industries and companies of south Korea. This was the biggest trade delegation of south Korea on Pakistan visit. Pakistani businessmen working in Korea were also included in the delegation.
This is recent history of the developments in the bilateral cooperation during the service of Mr. Suh Sangpyo. He, at the farewell, mentioned about Korean companies working in Pakistan successfully and contributing to the country’s economy. He also described the establishment of a hydro power project in the Northern areas with the help of his government.
The Korean companies , the Ambassador mentioned include DAEWOO, KEPCO (Electric), Sambu Construction Co. Ltd, DOOSAN Korea Midland Power Company Limited (KOMIPO) Korea Electric Power Hyundai and KIA Motors, Samsung, LG, LOTTE Group, Star Hydro power Limited (SHPL) POSCO, CK Solar, K-Water.
RoK was among the first countries that sent relief for flood victims after 2022 floods. Ambassador recalled the miseries of the flood affected people in Sindh, Balochistan and KPK. He said that RoK always stands by Pakistan in difficult times. Ambassador assured that South Korea would continue to work for enhancing trade, energy, education and defence ties.
Mr. Suh Sanpyo’s tenure in Pakistan was eventful as well as successful. His services in building the bilateral close meaningful relations will keep his memories alive in the minds and hearts of his colleagues in government of Pakistan, parliamentarians, business leaders and media persons. His always smiling and welcoming personality will be cherished and missed by all.
A very sincere and humble friend of Pakistan Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (ROK), H.E Suh Sangpyo has completed his tenure of service in Islamabad. He is leaving to continue his glowing career in USA. He played a highly constructive role in enhancing the bilateral cooperation and accomplished many joint ventures and projects during his time in Pakistan. His services to bridging the gaps between B-to-B and P-to-P will be remembered in the history of Pakistan RoK ties in golden words.
