Monument to mark 80th anniversary of Korean deportation erected in Tashkent

This year marks the 80th anniversary of deportation of Koreans in the Soviet Union as part of Joseph Stalin’s policy in 1937. A monument has been erected in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, the center of Korean societies in Eurasia, to commemorate forced resettlement of Koreans. It is the first time that a monument is erected to commemorate Korean relocation in 80 years.

　

Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who is now visiting the Eurasian countries, attended the unveiling ceremony that was hosted by the Korean Culture Center in Seoul Park of Tashkent on Monday (local time) to represent Korea. Seoul Park was established by Seoul city to applaud friendship between the two countries in 2014.

In a speech at the ceremony, Mayor Park said, “Korea, your homeland considers ethnic Korean people as our people and is very proud of you. We will work hard to make you proud of your homeland.” An expression‎ of deep appreciation for Uzbek people’s warm acceptance of Koreans as friends in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Korean deportation was engraved in Korean, Uzbek, and Russian.

　

Currently, about 180,000 Koreans live in Uzbekistan and the number once reached 250,000 in the past. The largest number of Koreans live in Uzbekistan among other Eurasian countries. Among the 180,000, about 60,000 live in Tashkent. Koreans entered government service and are now taking important roles such as senators and governors.

Tae-Ho Hwang taeho@donga.com