Letter to the Editor
I would like to draw your attention to an article carried by your newspaper on Sunday, May 20, 2007, Page 17 (Greek edition) and on Monday, May 21, 2007, Page 3 (English Edition) by Tom Ellis. The article is pertaining to the «FYROM» issue and stating «Greece’s position has been exacerbated by a decision by South Korea, homeland of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, to recognize the ‘Republic of Macedonia’ compromising the position of Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis… by the UN.» I read this article with much embarrassment because the above-stated paragraph of the article is an absolutely unfounded allegation which doesn’t reflect the state of affairs regarding the issue. The Government of the Republic of Korea has neither recognized FYROM as the «Republic of Macedonia» nor made any decision yet in relation to the recognition of and establishment of diplomatic relations with Skopje. You can confirm the relevant facts with the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Given the sensitivity of the naming issue of FYROM as well as the high profile of Kathimerini, I am very much worried that such an article containing incorrect information may affect adversely the friendly and cooperative relations between Greece and Korea by irritating so many interested readers of your newspaper. Therefore, I kindly request your cooperation and assistance for Kathimerini to take necessary measures for the correction of the said statement as well as to avoid making similar mistakes in the future. Thanking you in advance for your personal intervention in bringing this issue to an early conclusion, I remain for your prompt response, sincerely yours, YOUNG HAN BAE, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
