The Korean Speed

The Republic of Korea has pretty good and valid reasons to take pride in whatever she as a nation-state has accomplished or for that matter achieved today after its sad past dating back to the past five decades of the horrible war that most unfortunately not only ruined the nation but also torn apart the Korean landmass into two halves.

Practically a war devastated country as it was, the Korea of today is a proud nation for all that she has been able to show to the world, near and far, that given dedication, sense of patriotism and a sense of keenness to develop its own motherland no force on earth can impede the determination come what may. Today's Korea is a dynamic and a vibrant nation equipped with all the denominators that ascertain a nation, let's say economy wise, is not a gift of the highly developed West who were indeed Korea's intimate partners. What Korea has gained today is by the dint of her own Himalayan efforts and strong determination. It is this firm commitment of the Seoul's political leadership, progress-oriented bureaucrats and the zeal of each and every Korean to see their landmass turning into a world-class economy

which has made today's Korea. It is their combined efforts that Korea today can boast of its own achievements amongst her friendly neighbors. That Korean economy is a strong and forward-looking economy got reflected in the manner the Koreans managed to get rid of the last financial crisis. The landing from the financial crisis was not only safe but also a lesson to be learnt from the crisis. The quick recovery from the said financial crisis does amply speak of the Korean managerial skills in the economic sector.

Korea is a highly developed Asian nation which one could see for themselves. Nothing is artificial. Korea's friends in Asia can take pride of this Korean high flying accomplishments. A country with meager or even no resources has shown to the world that given the zeal to develop and progress, one can do so and that too quite efficiently. Nepal as an intimate friend of Korea has reasons to rejoice over Korea's miraculous economic and technological progress and can learn so many things from Korea. Nepal believes that a highly developed Korea is in the larger interest of all the Asian countries, especially those falling in South Asia. We believe that a strong a affluent Korea can be of tremendous support to these nation at times of need. That Nepal and Korea are closer to each other becomes clear from the fact that it is China's landmass, a common neighbor of the both countries that separates us from each other. This close proximity has got to be exploited for furthering bilateral and other ties as well for our mutual benefits. The idea of having direct air links soon with each other could well be a very good beginning.

Korea has technology. Korea has all the potentials and a sense of desire as well to extend tangible support to the nations in its neighborhood and beyond. Take for example, the LG electronics and the Hyundai motors. These two different identities and entities have brought about a sort of revolution in Korea whose reverberations could be felt in the entire world. We the Asians can seek the transfer of technology, as India and Pakistan have already done so, as a matter of friendly gesture from them. As a matter of fact, Nepal does not come in the priority of Republic of Korea which is in no way their mistake. It is the weakness of Kathmandu's political leadership that they have failed to attract the attention of such a country that today is the talk of the world, economically speaking. Nepal as a country should waste no time in initiating meaningful contacts with Korea which, we hope, if approached politely and diplomatically would not mind to come forward in supporting Nepal in her developmental efforts, to begin with the road-construction.

Looking at the tremendous progress achieved by Korea during these years one is forced to conclude that the Koreans have not slept for a night since the war. The Koreans apparently invested their entire energy and endeavors in building their own country rather than killing time and energy in fruitless talks. Certainly, from the length and the breadth of the country, Korea is one and the unity among the Koreans at least in building the nation is remarkable to be learnt by many. The entire country is connected through railroads, air and blacktopped roads. That Korea is a vast economy now could be felt the moment one lands at the Korean land either by rail or by air.

Finally, Korean leadership and the men who contributed their efforts in building the war torn nation a booming economy deserve deep appreciation. Korean economy has all the potentials to attain even greater and newer heights. Nepal as a smaller nation should try to gain from Korea's advanced technological gains over the years. To do so, our diplomats have got to awake from the slumber and effect certain changes in policies that have so far forced Nepal to look towards the developed west and neglect the Asian economic tigers or giants which are comparatively closer to us geographically speaking. Korea could be classic example for Nepal to learn how progress is made and what were the preconditions that allows countries to march towards progress.

Kudos to Korean leadership whose hard labor over the past decades made Korea a country that can now compete any country in the world on any count. Korean speed of development is remarkable which hopefully will increase more in the coming years.

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