BAHK Sahnghoon
Ambassador of the South Korean Republic
Javier Socastro
The South Korean ambassador to Spain, Bahk Sahnghoon, assures during his interview with The Diplomat in Spain, that the bilateral relationship between the two countries, both politically, economically and culturally is improving very quickly. Bahk Sahnghoon also comments on the Netflix series The Squid Game, which he says he has enjoyed and which he stresses contains many details of the Korean people and their culture. For the ambassador, the series, as well as Korean music, food and cosmetics, are increasing interest in his country among Spaniards.
2020 was the 70th anniversary of the beginning of bilateral relations between South Korea and Spain. Currently, what is the state of these two countries’ relations?
These 70 years have definitely been full of cooperation and progress.
To be more accurate, there were three different stages. The first 20 years (from the 50s to 70s) there were not significant projects between both. Spain and South Korea were under authoritarian regimes, at the same time that they were making an effort to improve their economies.
The following period, from the 70s to the 90s, both states progressed faster than in the past. In addition, they joined very important unions, such as the NATO and de EU for Spain, and the OECD for Korea. We both were stepping at the same time in the international arena.
The third stage, in which we find us in now, from 2000s on, both of us have become very important players in many aspects. For example, due to our participation in the G20.
Our economic bilateral relationship is also improving quicker. I believe that is because the “the new Spanish eyes” which focus much more on Asia than in the past, and that allows us to get closer and increase the number of exchanges, not only diplomatically, but also economically and culturally.
Are there any economic areas between both countries particularly interesting for economic investment?
Trade reached the highest value of exchange in 2019. Actually, the balance between imports and exports were almost just the same for both sides.
In terms of investment, the total amount of money invested from Korea to Spain was 2 billion dollars, whilst from Spain to Korea, was 3 billion dollars. Quite balanced too.
But the most important aspect for future investment is that after the Covid 19, the Korean government made a new deal based on two pillars: the digital new deal and the green new deal.
By a coincidence, the Spanish government also made very similar deals towards digitalisation, the Agenda Digital España 2025, and towards a green economy, the Estrategia de Descarbonización a Largo Plazo.
In contrast to our past collaboration, mainly manufacturing, our two governments have developed very similar long-term strategies. So, that shows the window of opportunities that our two countries will be able to develop in these two areas: going green and going digital.
Let us move on to political relations between North and South Korea. Last Monday, both countries reopened communications after months. However, three weeks ago, North Korea launched a missile testing demonstration, which was followed by another the Southern Republic. How can that instability be? Can you tell us about the tensions between both countries?
If I were to put it simply, relations between both Koreas are temporarily stuck.
In 2018 and 2019, there were several summits with the purpose of progressing the so called “Korean Peace Process” by North Korea, South Korea and the US. However, at the Hanoi meeting, the so expected deal was eventually not signed. Since then, no progress has been made in the Korean peninsula.
Nonetheless, we are still trying to make progress with collaboration of the United States.
It is true that last September, North Korea launched some missile testing, and we also tested one of our own missiles. Some say that tension is still there, but I must say that the fact that the hotline between our two countries has been restored is a very good sign.
It must also be mentioned that in last UN general assembly, President Moon proposed the end of the war state for both countries, which was backed up with very favourable declarations by the sister of Kim Jong-un.
The explanation of why South Korea launched a missile was because we had it scheduled since some time ago. It was not a response.
Why does South Korea believe that military force is necessary?
Unlike Europe, where collective defence systems are in place, our security environment in Asia is totally different from that. In particular, in the peninsula of Korea.
First, military demonstrations have the deterrence capacity against North Koran risk. And second, military force assures South Koreans that they are well-defended and that the state is prepared.
Military force is not thought for future invasions or something alike.
Are your relations with China back on the right track?
China is a very important partner for us. It has got a great influence in our country, and at the same time, it is our number one trading partner.
We have been developing very good relations with China for 29 years in areas such as trade, investment, tourism, food, etc.
We believe that China is a key player in the globe, and it is one of the main stakeholders in the Korean peninsula. So, we need to keep our bilateral relations sound and stable.
Last month there were bilateral meetings between both governments, where mutual interest was shown. So, we focus on developing these relations in a good manner.
South Korea is the second country which manufactures semiconductors. Why is it so complicated to get over the crisis?
In order to produce semiconductors, there is need for two different kinds of companies. One, the designers, and two, the manufacturers.
Samsung Electronics and TSMC, the Taiwanese company, are the two biggest companies which manufacture semiconductors. However, in order to produce them they need huge facilities.
That is the reason why, not even a rising demand can speed up the pace of productions. That is why it takes time to increase the number of semiconductors.
How does South Korea see current relations between China, the US and Europe?
It is a fact that those three players can make a huge influence all over the world.
In our case, the US is the only ally for South Korea. China is a very important player in the process of Korean Peace progress that my government is really pushing forward, and the European Union is also a very old friend of South Korea, which can affect many aspects of Korea.
In view of that, we hope that those three players are capable of mutually deal with coming global challenges in a harmonious way.
