Do you know the person who has served as a bridge between South Korea and Serbia for over 10 years?
The featured individual is former Secretary Park Sae-sol, who, after serving at the Serbian Embassy in South Korea, has now opened the Arirang Center in Belgrade, Serbia, and is taking on new challenges.
Through a written interview, this reporter heard about his experiences there and his advice for young people who dream of international exchange.
Q. What led you to work at the Serbian Embassy in South Korea, and what were your main responsibilities?
A. “My name is Park Sae-sol, and I work to bridge the relationship between South Korea and Serbia. Having worked in interpretation and education for many years, I naturally found myself in a position to connect the two countries. At the embassy, I assisted the ambassador, managed key meetings and correspondence, and ran school visit programs for Korean students.”
Q. What sparked your interest in diplomacy and international exchange?
A. “I realized something while learning languages and working as an interpreter. I realized that diplomacy and international exchange, before being matters between large nations, are ultimately about connecting people. As I personally witnessed misunderstandings turn into understanding among people who once felt distant because we couldn’t communicate, my desire to live as ‘the person who connects these two’ became even clearer.”
Q. After completing a stable posting at the embassy, why did you decide to take on a new challenge by opening the “Arirang Center” there?
A. “Rather than staying in the position I was given, I wanted to put down roots here in Serbia and build a lasting bridge. The experience I gained at the embassy—learning how official diplomacy works and how trust between people is built—has become a great asset as I create something new here locally.”
Q. I’m curious about how you first became interested in Serbia.
A. “When I was choosing my major at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, I wanted to learn a language that was a bit unique, rather than one of the common languages everyone else was studying. That’s when Serbian caught my eye. I was really impressed by its location and the fact that it’s a region where a complex history and diverse cultures and religions are all intertwined, so I decided to study it. A country I’d only ever seen in books has become a part of my life.”
Q. What aspects of Serbian culture did you experience firsthand that you found particularly appealing, and what would you most like to share with others?
A. “The greatest charm is the ‘warmth’ of the people. They’ll offer coffee and a meal even to someone they’ve just met, and once you open up to them, they treat you like family. I’d definitely like to highlight the town of ‘Užice,’ where you can feel a sense of leisure, and the fact that it’s a ‘land of poetry’ where poetry and song breathe in everyday life.”
Q. I’m curious about the goals of your exchange programs, such as the “Arirang Center,” which you’re currently promoting, and how you’ve overcome the challenges.
A. “Interest has grown thanks to K-content, but there was a lack of places to learn systematically, so I opened the center. Building something new abroad was like overcoming invisible barriers, but the experience I’ve accumulated over more than a decade and the local connections I’ve made have been a great source of strength. Rather than focusing on why things won’t work, I’m looking for ways to make them work, and my ultimate goal is to lay the “foundation for Korean language education” that will continue to thrive even without me.”
Q. What is the impact of K-content as you experience it here, and what “competitive edge” should Korea cultivate going forward?
A. “Just 10 years ago, Korea seemed like a distant country, but now K-content has become such a powerful gateway that young people approach me first and greet me in Korean. However, to transform this ‘fleeting popularity’ into ‘lasting relationships,’ I believe that a ‘two-way’ approach—where we deeply study the culture and language of the host country rather than just promoting our own—is what will truly give us a competitive edge.”
Q. What do you think is the most essential skill for young people who aspire to a career in diplomacy or international exchange?
A. “While language skills are important, your real strengths lie in ‘curiosity about people’—the desire to understand others—and ‘the ability to listen well.’ Furthermore, ‘perseverance’—the tenacity to keep building your skills even when results aren’t immediately visible—is a stronger asset than any certification.”
Q. Finally, please share a message for young people who are hesitant to take on new challenges.
A. “I, too, faced many people who advised me to take the safe path, but I believed that if I followed what I loved and worked hard at it, a path would open up for me. Even if the future feels uncertain right now, go ahead and pursue your dreams to your heart’s content. If you put your heart and soul into it, that path will ultimately become your own unique strength—one that’s truly one-of-a-kind in the world. If reading this sparks even a tiny bit of curiosity about Serbia, your horizons will expand just a little more. Thank you for reading to the end. Hvala!”
I’d like to express my support for former Secretary Park Sae-sol, who is serving as a warm bridge connecting the hearts of our two nations. I hope that through this interview, the teenagers and young adults who have developed a small spark of curiosity about Serbia—a land that was once unfamiliar to them—will find the courage to step out into a wider world.
Sim Ji-yoon, Staff Member at Cheongra-on
Yeo Dong-seop, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Cheongra On
