▲ Kyrgyz Amb. H.E. MS. DINARA KEMELOVA. Courtesy-Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Kyrgyz Amb. H.E Dinara KEMELOVA to the Republic of Korea contributed her article to the Power Korea Media Group to commemorate The Independence Day of the Kyrgyz Republic 2020 as bellows:-Ed.
“We hope that the post-coronavirus period will restore reciprocal travel of citizens”: Amb. H.E Dinara KEMELOVA

The Kyrgyz Republic celebrates its Independence Day on August 31st. On this day, celebrations are usually held throughout Kyrgyzstan. Festive concerts are held in towns and villages. Photo exhibitions dedicated to the history and modernity of Kyrgyzstan are organized in the capital's museums and libraries. The main events dedicated to the Independence Day are held at Ala-Too Square in Bishkek. The President of Kyrgyzstan delivers a congratulatory speech, the events continue with a concert and fireworks. This year, due to COVID-19, many planned activities have to be scaled back.
The statehood of the Kyrgyz people appeared more than 2200 years ago. The freedom-loving Kyrgyz people bravely fought for sovereignty for a very long time, since it was lost in XII century. Kyrgyzstan was a part of the USSR and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan, having gained independence, began to develop its own statehood.
29 years ago, on August 31, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan adopted a declaration on the state sovereignty of the country. Since that time, Kyrgyzstan began to move along its own democratic path of development.
From the beginning of the sovereignty, the Kyrgyz Republic has chosen the presidential-parliamentary path of development; the elections of the first president of Kyrgyzstan were held in 1991. Since that time, the state has taken a course towards the development of a market economy and the introduction of democratic principles, the protection of human rights and freedoms. In this we are similar to the Korean people.
The Constitution of Kyrgyzstan, along with the flag and coat of arms, were adopted and approved on May 5, 1993.
In 1993, Kyrgyzstan was the first of the former USSR countries to introduce its national currency, the «Som», and the first country in the post-Soviet space to join the WTO in 1998.
Over the years of its independence, Kyrgyzstan has established diplomatic relations with 164 countries and is a member of 124 international organizations. On January 31, 1992, the Kyrgyz Republic established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea, who was one of the first recognized the state independence of Kyrgyzstan in 1991.
The people of Kyrgyzstan, like the freedom-loving people of the Republic of Korea, do not accept the dictatorship of power. In this regard, after gaining independence and sovereignty, our country overcame many threats to territorial integrity, stability and went through difficulties on the way to democracy. 
In 2015 and 2017, thanks to the introduction and use of advanced technologies in the electoral process, transparent and competitive parliamentary and presidential elections were held in Kyrgyzstan. Next parliamentary elections are planned for October of this year and 44 parties have already been registered.
In the Central Asian region, Kyrgyzstan provides investors with the most favorable conditions for investment, the availability of benefits and preferences. Foreign investors are provided with guarantees for the export or repatriation of investments and property outside the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as freedom of monetary transactions. According to a 2019 World Bank report, Kyrgyzstan climbed five positions in the Doing Business 2019 ranking and took 70th place.
Today Kyrgyzstan is one of the democratically developing countries with 6.5 million population and with territory, which is 2 times larger than South Korea. 93% of the territory of Kyrgyzstan is covered by mountains and majestic mountain ranges.
Moreover, Kyrgyzstan is considered a very attractive country for Korean tourists. The Kyrgyz Republic, which we call the land of sky mountains, with beautiful nature, alps and numerous lakes and rivers, is an oasis in Central Asia. But not so many South Koreans know about our ancient history, tourist attraction and rich culture. From year to year, the number of Korean tourists in the Kyrgyz Republic is growing by about 10%. Last year alone, more than 16,000 Korean citizens visited Kyrgyzstan. High mountains, a large number of crystal clear lakes, clean mountain air - all this is highly appreciated by South Korean tourists, and all this can be found in Kyrgyzstan. The international agency Bloomberg and the American TV channel CNN Travel have compiled ratings of especially interesting places that tourists should visit in 2020. Both lists include Kyrgyzstan. The compilers have identified the best places on the recommendations of leading international travel agencies. Of course, the coronavirus pandemic negatively affected this sector, but we hope that the post-coronavirus period will restore reciprocal travel of citizens, especially since a visa-free regime is in place for South Korean citizens in Kyrgyzstan.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate the nationals of Kyrgyzstan on the Independence Day of our country and wish the people of Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Korea peace, prosperity and the speedy overcoming of the pandemic.