States Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos at a Mongolian photo exhibition

By Publisher Lee Kyung-sik with Feature Editor Ms. Jane Jang

The Embassy of the Republic of Mongolia in Seoul hosted an impressive photo exhibition at the Design Plaza Gallery in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2022 with the attendance of many Korean and international guests as well as important persons from the host Embassy.

Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos of Mongolia in Seoul (10th from left) poses with the guests attending the art exhbition of Mongolia.
Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos of Mongolia in Seoul (10th from left) poses with the guests attending the art exhbition of Mongolia.

It was named "Mongolia—The Land of the Blue Sky" photo exhibition 24 Dec. 2022 and featured the works of Photo Artist Gan-Ulzii Gonchig,

Many interesting photos were on display and the visits were all obviously impressed greatly by the wonderful picture showing Mongolia.

Speaking to the guests Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos made an impressive speech to the guests.
She said, “Seeing is better than one hundred times of hearing” and I am happy to have this opportunity to show through the development of modern technology and the art of photography Mongolia to many people who have not yet been to Mongolia.”

 Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos of Mongolia speaks welcoming the guests to the exhibition and briefing theguests on the art works of Mongolia.
 Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos of Mongolia speaks welcoming the guests to the exhibition and briefing theguests on the art works of Mongolia.

Among the Korean, Mongolian and other international guests of disction at the meeting were CEO Noh Seok-ki of JobnShop (Job Search Medical Toursim Shopping Mall), Chairman Im Hyung-chil of the Kyugdo Co., Ltd., CEO Lee Mi-Ja of ATS Shipping, Advisor James Wan-rung Yoo of KT Enterpreise, Chairman Lee Moon-hui of Global Economy & Cultural Exchange Center, Director Ko Sung-kyu of Korea Horse-riding Culture Research Insitutute, CEO Moon Jae-hwan of V World Korea,  President Suh Yong-suk of the V World C&C.

Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos of Mongolia (fourth from left) poses with guests attending the exhibition. Editorial Writer Ms. Chang Anna is seen third from left.
Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos of Mongolia (fourth from left) poses with guests attending the exhibition. Editorial Writer Ms. Chang Anna is seen third from left.

Details of the speech of Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos (an unofficial English translation) follow:

Distinguished guests, Mongolian and Korean friends,

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia has decided to hold a traveling photo exhibition to promote Mongolia abroad, and the first exhibition will be held today in Korea, where the largest number of Mongolians live abroad.

This shows that the Mongolian government attaches great importance to exchanges and cooperation between Mongolia and Korea and friendship between the two peoples.

The relationship between Mongolia and Korea has rapidly expanded and developed over the past 30 years, and has now reached a strategic partnership status.

The core of bilateral relations is friendship and friendly relations between the peoples.

In order to strengthen and develop this strong relationship, it is important to introduce each other's history and culture and deepen mutual understanding and trust.

To this end, the Mongolian government has begun permitting Korean nationals to visit Mongolia without a visa from June 2022, and, through this, more Korean citizens can freely travel to Mongolia.

Most of the Korean tourists visiting Mongolia are young people in their 30s, showing that the relationship between the two countries is more vibrant and has unlimited potential for continued development.

Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos of Mongolia is flanked on the left and right by Korean guests.
Ambassador Erdenetsogt Sarantogos of Mongolia is flanked on the left and right by Korean guests.

In addition, the Mongolian government has designated 2023 to 2025 as the ‘Visit Mongolia Year,’ making efforts to create a convenient environment for foreigners who wish to visit Mongolia.

Through today's exhibition, we want to let you know that Mongolia, with its warm sunlight, blue sky, and vast grasslands, always welcomes you, and we look forward to contributing to bringing Mongolia closer to the Korean people.

It is said that “Seeing is better than one hundred times of hearing” and I am happy to be able to show Mongolia to many people who have not yet been to Mongolia through the development of modern technology and the art of photography.

I would like to express my gratitude to the artist Gan-Ulzii (Ulji Kang) who did not spare his talents in this work of promoting the country, and I am sure that he will cooperate with me again in anticipation of future works.

A Korean guest representative makes a speech praising the art of Mongolia.
A Korean guest representative makes a speech praising the art of Mongolia.

The Mongolian Embassy in Korea will continue to make efforts to strengthen the friendly relationship between the peoples of the two countries and increase people-to-people exchanges in order to further deepen and develop Mongolia-Korea relations.

And I would like to express my gratitude to the government and local governments of the Republic of Korea for helping and cooperating with our activities and the lives of Mongolian people.

I would like to thank the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Mongolia, former ambassadors, members of the National Assembly and government of the Republic of Korea, and those involved in politics, academia, and media who came to visit today's photo exhibition.

According to an introduction by the Ministry of Fopreign Affair of Korea in Seoul, Korea and Mongolia are very close neighbors historically, culturally and geographically, and can be called 'brother countries' who share the values of democracy and market economy.

A lady singer from Mongolia presents a beautiful Mongolian song with a morin khuur presntation.
A lady singer from Mongolia presents a beautiful Mongolian song with a morin khuur presntation.

Since the historic establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990, the two countries have continously strengthened their comprehensive partnership by increasing cooperation in various fields, including political areas, trade, energy, environment, health and welfare, and upgraded the bilateral relations to a strategic partnership in 2021.

In 2020, Korea and Mongolia celebrated the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Despite the crisis of the worldwide spread of COVID-19 that began in early 2020, various events commemorating the establishment of diplomatic ties were held in both countries.

An indicator that clearly shows the current level of development of Korea-Mongolia relations is the active people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

In particular, the number of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in 2019 recorded more than 200,000. The number of Korean visitors to Mongolia exceeded 100,000, ranking third in the number of foreigners entering Mongolia after China and Russia.

A beautiful Mongolian dancer is presenting a dance performance clad in a fancy white costume of a swan.
A beautiful Mongolian dancer is presenting a dance performance clad in a fancy white costume of a swan.

In the same year, more than 110,000 Mongolians visited Korea. In 2020, due to the Mongolian government's strong quarantine measures to prevent the spread of Corona 19, there were restrictions on flight operations between Korea and Mongolia. However people-to-people exchanges are expected to continue and increase.

In Mongolia, at of the end of 2019, about 4,200 students in 24 elementary, middle and high schools and 1,200 students in 16 universities are studying Korean, and the number of Mongolians taking the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is on the rise every year.

A beautifufl Mongolian singer preents a song.
A beautifufl Mongolian singer preents a song.

Mongolians are very interested in Korea. Accordingly, the Korean government is strengthening the foundation for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries by carrying out various exchange and cooperation projects, including Korea Weekly events, Korean Olympiad events, and Taekwondo competitions, in order to further spread friendly relations between the peoples of Korea and Mongolia.

Korea will continue to communicate with more people and listen to various opinions for the development of the Korean community in Mongolia along with the promotion of bilateral relations between Korea and Mongolia.

A partial view of the exhbition hall.
A partial view of the exhbition hall.
Another scene of traditional dance performance by Mongolian dancers.
Another scene of traditional dance performance by Mongolian dancers.
Art works on display and they were accented by the addition of presentation of traditiional peroforming arts.
Art works on display and they were accented by the addition of presentation of traditiional peroforming arts.
Mongolian art exhibits on display
Mongolian art exhibits on display
There were many interesting exhibits attracting the attention of the guests.
There were many interesting exhibits attracting the attention of the guests.

 

 

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