MAEIL BUSINESS NEWSPAPER, No.1 Economic media in Korea published the article of H.E. Amb. KIM on Bulgaria and the bilateral relations. We would like to share it with you.
By H.E. Amb. Dong-bae KIM / June 18, 2025
➢ The idea of Bulgaria as the “yogurt country” is outdated;
➢ Leaders from various fields are graduates of mathematical high schools;
➢ The capacity in the field of artificial intelligence is reaching a global level;
➢ A need to expand bilateral cooperation in promising industries;
According to a survey conducted this year by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency among Japanese visitors at the World Expo in Osaka, yogurt is the first thing that comes to mind when they hear about Bulgaria. It is likely no different in Korea. The name of a certain yogurt brand is still etched in our memory.
Surprisingly, this country is very similar to ours. Despite numerous invasions by foreign powers and the pain of division, Bulgaria has managed to preserve its name and identity. The Cyrillic alphabet, widely used in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, is culturally unique, similar to our script - Hangul.
If we look at the numbers, Bulgaria is a small country, its territory slightly larger than Korea’s, but its population is about one-eighth of Korea’s, and its economy is approximately one-eighteenth.
Nevertheless, Bulgaria is in a key position on the Balkan Peninsula - a gateway from Asia to Europe. It is no coincidence that this former communist state quickly joined NATO and the European Union after the end of the Cold War. In January this year, the country became a full member of the Schengen Area, and at the beginning of next year, it is expected to adopt the euro. Bulgaria is also in the process of joining the club of developed countries - the OECD. Therefore, it should not be judged solely by its size.
Not only are external factors favorable. The country is known for its excellent achievements in mathematics and science. Leaders from various fields are graduates of mathematical high schools. Even the creator of the world’s first digital computer is an American of Bulgarian descent.
The development of artificial intelligence, which is taking over the world, is also no exception. Just three years after its establishment, the Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology (INSAIT) has reached a world-class level. Leading companies like Google and Amazon are competing to support it, and the Institute ranks among the top six AI research institutions in the EU. Professor Han Ho-sung from the Medical School of Seoul National University, who attended an international conference in Sofia last month, emphasized in an interview with local media that science and medicine in Bulgaria are already “world-class.”
How then should we view Bulgaria, with which we are marking 35 years of diplomatic relations this year? Fortunately, a Korean company is participating jointly with an American company in the construction of the 7th and 8th units of the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant - a key project for Bulgaria. The new nuclear power plant, built with Korean participation, will give Bulgaria, which has more than 50 years of experience in nuclear energy, the opportunity to become an energy hub in Southeast Europe. Changes in the industry are also expected, including the possibility of building large data centers.
The defense industry is also a promising area for strategic partnership. Bulgaria is undergoing military modernization, through which by 2032 it will completely free itself from dependence on Soviet and Russian weapons systems. Given the growing importance of cooperation between NATO countries and the Indo-Pacific region, in Bulgaria’s defense strategy announced at the beginning of March, Korea is designated as a strategic partner. A new vision in the field of defense is also expected to be presented at the NATO summit, which concludes on 25 June.
We must not miss these opportunities. We should use nuclear energy and the defense industry as a springboard for significantly upgrading the partnership between Korea and Bulgaria. Bulgaria is no longer just a country of yogurt and roses.
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Source: Bulgaria-Korea Business Club newsletter for July 2025