On the History

of the Bulgarian-Korean Relations

(Introduction to the Research)

Prof. Dr. Habil. Alexander Fedotoff and

Assoc. Prof. Dr. So Young Kim
(Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski)

This paper is aimed at outlining the scope of the research of the Bulgarian-Korean
cooperation after the establishment of the diplomatic relationship with the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea in 1948, and with the Republic of Korea in 1990.
The research is based on diachronic and synchronic approach to the original
materials in different languages (Bulgarian, Korean, English, etc.) preserved in archives
of several Bulgarian institutions. On the first place one should mention such institutions
as the State Archive of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Archive of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.
The State Archive first was established as the so-called State Archive Foundation
thanks to the special order of the Bulgarian Parliament (the People’s Assembly) in 1951.
Within this order all the functions of the institution were defined, as well as the volume of
documents to be kept in, the system and organization of all the archives in the People’s
Republic of Bulgaria (the former official name of the Republic of Bulgaria).
Till April 1952 the regulations, functions and profiles of all state archives were
declared which led to establishment of two main bodies: the Central Historical Archive
and the Central State Archive of the Peoples Republic of Bulgaria. Besides that, twelve
regional archives were also founded.
Till 1961 all the Bulgarian archives were affiliated to the Ministry of Interior, and
after that to different ministries like Ministry of Education and Culture, Committee on art
and Culture, Ministry of Information and Communication and Ministerial Council.
 Since 1976 the State Archive was known as The Central Board of Archives, and
since 2007 until now – as the Archives State Agency (ASA, or Държавна агенция
„Архиви” in Bulgarian language).

Building of the Republic of Bulgaria Archives State Agency

ASA is a well-known governmental institution in which millions of different

documents are preserved. The unveiled documents are available for all citizens of the
Republic of Bulgaria and foreigners. For sure, ASA is the place which many scholars and
students visit for scientific purpose. There are many documents covering the history of
relations between Bulgaria and two Koreas which will be used by us for the aims of the
current project.
ASA has quite branched structure.
Structure of the Republic of Bulgaria Archives State Agency

Here, one can see several examples of documents kept in ASA.

Example No 1 (in English):
♦ Document
Source: Republic of Bulgaria Archives State Agency
Number: CPA, F 1, op 32, a.e. 124 (ЦПА, Ф 1 ОП 32 а.е. 124)
Addresser: William Z. Foster (Chairman of the National Committee, CPUSA)
Addressee: Valko Chervenkov (Secretary-General of the Bulgarian Communist Party)
Date: January 23, 1950
Pages: A4, 1 page
Note
► History of Relations between the United States and Bulgaria: Diplomatic Relations
between Bulgaria and U.S. were established in 1903. John B. Jackson, who was Minister
to Greece, Romania, and Serbia, was the first Diplomatic Agent to Bulgaria, and the first
U.S. representative to present his credentials there, which he did on September 19, 1903.
This date marks the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the
United States. He was re-appointed in 1911 as Minister to Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria.
Later Diplomatic Agents to Bulgaria (1907-1910) were also Ministers to Romania and
Serbia. Only one of them, Horace G. Knowles (1907-1909) presented his credentials in
Bulgaria. Only after World War I, there was a U.S. representative commissioned solely to
Bulgaria.
► Vulko Velev Chervenkov (1900-1980, in Bulgarian: Вълко Велев Червенков) was a
Bulgarian communist leader and state politician. He became a member of the Bulgarian
Communist Party in 1919. He was Prime minister of Bulgaria (1950-1956) and
Secretary-General of the Bulgarian Communist Party from 1949 to 1954.
► Vasil Petrov Kolarov (1877-1950, Bulgarian: Васил Петров Коларов) was a
Bulgarian communist leader and state politician. He was Prime minister of Bulgaria
(1949-1950). He died in Sofia on January 23, 1950.

Example No 2 (in English):

♦ Document
Source: Republic of Bulgaria Archives State Agency
Number: CPA, F 1, op 32, a.e. 124 (ЦПА, Ф 1 ОП 32 а.е. 124)
Addresser: the National Office of the communist party
Date: July 12, 1950
Pages: A4, 2 pages
Note
► The Korean War (June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953): The Korean War was a war
between the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The
Korean War was primarily the result of the political division of Korea by an agreement of
the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War at the end of World War II. The
active stage of the war ended on July 27, 1953, when the armistice agreement was signed.
The agreement restored the border between the Koreas near the 38 th Parallel and created
the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a 2.5-mile (4.0 km)-wide fortified buffer zone
between the two Korean nations.
► Communist party of the USA: Founded in 1919, the Communist Party of the USA
has championed the struggles for democracy, labor rights, women’s equality, racial justice
and peace for ninety years.
► William Z. Foster (1881-1961) was a radical American labor organizer and Marxist
politician, whose career included a lengthy stint as Secretary-General of the Communist
Party of the USA.
► Relations between the United States and Bulgaria from 1950 until now: In 1950,
the Bulgarian Government accused U.S. Minister Heath of espionage and declared him
persona non grata on January 19, 1950. Bulgaria severed diplomatic relations with the
United States on February 20, 1950. The United States announced the suspension of
diplomatic relations with Bulgaria on February 21, and Heath left the country on
February 24, 1950. The United States and Bulgaria agreed to resume diplomatic relations
on March 24, 1959. The Legation in Bulgaria was elevated to Embassy status on
November 28, 1966.

Example No 3 (in Korean):

♦ 무선 전보
· 기록 보관 장소 (불가리아 국립 문서보관소: R. Bulgaria Archives State
Agency)
· 문서 번호: CPA, F 1, op 32, a.e. 108 (ЦПА, Ф 1 ОП 32 а.е. 108)
· 문서 작성 기관: 북한 노동당 중앙 위원회
· 수신인: 불가리아 인민 공화국 수상 겸 불가리아 공산당 서기 벌코 체르벤코프
· 문서 작성일: 1950.7.17
· 문서 분량: A4 1매
· 문서 내용 번역: 북한 노동당 중앙 위원회는 모든 당원을 대표해서 이승만의 패
거리와 미제국의 무력에 대항해 자유와 독립 쟁취를 위해 싸우는 한민족과 북한
노동당에 대한 불가리아 공산당의 동조와 우애에 진심으로 감사의 뜻을 표한다.
북한 노동당과 한민족 전체는 완전한 승리를 위해 전력을 다해 싸울 것이다. 우리
의 정당한 투쟁은 자유를 사랑하는 세계의 모든 민족의 동조와 지지를 얻어 완전
한 승리를 거둘 것이다.
· 해제: 1950년대까지 북한이 핵심적으로 추구해야 했던 국가이익은 체제의 보
전과 국가의 안전이었고 때문에 이 시기 북한의 대외정책은 이른바 ‘진영외교’의
치중으로 나타났다. 1950년 한국전쟁이 일어나면서 여전히 북한의 대외정책은
소련과 중국 그리고 동유럽 국가들에게 전쟁 지원와 지지를 요구하는 데 치중했
다. 동유럽 사회주의 국가인 불가리아에 전쟁 발발 직후 북한 지지에 감사하는 전
보는 북한의 이러한 대외 전략을 잘 설명해 준다.

The second institution with Bulgarian-Korean relations’ archive documents kept is

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria. The brief history of the Ministry goes that the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Religious Denominations (MFARD) was created with
ordinance № 23 (17th July 1879) by virtue of article 161 of the Turnovo Constitution as a
central state institution intended to organize, direct, and conduct Bulgaria’s foreign policy
through diplomatic agencies abroad (agencies, consulates, and legations).
Pursuant to the ordinance, the Ministry was composed of three departments – “a
department for intercourse with local agencies, one for relations with foreign diplomatic
agencies, and one for ecclesiastical matters.” Marko Balabanov was appointed the first
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religious Denominations.
The MFARD Structure and Service Act was adopted on 19th December 1907
(State Gazette, issue 276, 1907), according to which the following structural units were
formed: Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Political Department, Archive and
Library, Consular Department, Religious Denominations Department, Bulgarian
Telegraph Agency, and Accounting. MFARD functioned with this structure, with certain
changes made in 1918, until the adoption of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of
Bulgaria (4th December 1947), by virtue of which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was
created (MFA). The Chairman of the Presidium of the National Assembly undertook the
representation of Bulgaria in international relations. The representative functions were to
be carried out by the Chairman of the State Council (in accordance with the Constitution
of 1971) and by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria (in accordance with the
Constitution of 1991). Throughout the years since its inception, the Ministry’s structure
has been based on its principal functions of organizing, directing, and conducting the
foreign policy of Bulgaria.
On 13th of September 2007, the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria
adopted the Diplomatic Service Act, which arranges the principles, organization, and
functioning of the diplomatic service, as well as the rules for career development of the
diplomatic officers.
Organizational structures and administrative units of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA) in accordance with the Regulations on the organization of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, adopted with an ordinance No 340/2009 of the Council of Ministers,
amended and supplemented with ordinance No 28/02.03.2010.
Political Cabinet
Permanent Secretary
Administrative Secretary
Internal Audit Directorate
Inspectorate
Crisis Management Center
General Administration
Human Resources Directorate
Chancery and Archive Directorate
Finance and Maintenance Directorate
Property Management Directorate
Protection of Functions and Information Directorate
Legal Affairs Directorate
Specialized Administration
Political Affairs Directorate
Neighboring Countries Directorate
European Countries Directorate
Eastern Europe, the Caucuses and Central Asia Directorate
Asia, Australia and Oceania Directorate
Americas Directorate
Middle East and Africa Directorate
UN and Global Affairs Directorate
Security Policy Directorate
Human Rights Directorate
Consular Affairs Directorate
European Union Directorate
International Cooperation for Development Directorate\
International and EU Law Directorate
State Protocol Directorate
Information and Communication Directorate

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Nowadays, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is an institution in the central state
administration that carries out the foreign policy of the Republic of Bulgaria. The
activities of the Ministry are based on the Constitution and the laws of the country and
are in accordance with the principles and norms of international law and the international
treaties to which the Republic of Bulgaria is a party. The Ministry implements the
priorities of the government’s foreign policy program. The main functions of the Ministry
are the following:
to plan, prepare, and implement the foreign policy of the Republic of Bulgaria
through diplomatic means;
to ensure the maintenance and development of the political dialogue and
cooperation of the country with other states in the economic, financial, cultural, and
scientific fields; to develop the diplomatic and consular relations of the Republic of
Bulgaria with other nations;
to ensure representation for the Republic of Bulgaria in international
governmental organizations in which she is a member of or participates with a designated
status;
to coordinate the activities related to other ministries and departments abroad;
to ensure the maintenance of official and working contacts with international
diplomatic and consular representations and missions accredited to the Republic of
Bulgaria;
to coordinate and participate in the preparation, formation, and implementation of
international treaties;
to regulate the implementation of the international legal obligations of the
Republic of Bulgaria to other states and international organizations;
to coordinate and ensure the participation of Bulgarian representatives in the work
of international diplomatic and other conferences;
to ensure the protection of the rights and interests of the Bulgarian state and the
Bulgarian citizens and legal persons abroad;
to implement activities aimed at the conservation of the Bulgarian cultural and
historical heritage and the monuments and memorials abroad;
 to assist the activities of Bulgarian institutions abroad in the science, education,
culture, and information fields;
to protect the rights and freedoms of persons belonging to the Bulgarian
communities and minorities in accordance with the international legal norms in this
regard and the interests of the country;
to carry out coordination in the foreign policy field between departments by
cooperating with other state authorities in the realization of their international activities;
by coordinating the visits of state and governmental delegations of the high and highest
level in the Republic of Bulgaria and abroad; by participating in the preparation and
implementation of such visits; by cooperating with other ministries and agencies on
issues related to the international cooperation realized by them;
to ensure the leadership and control of the overall activities related to the
participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in the decision-making process of the European
Union (EU) and its activities.
Mission, values and principles of Bulgarian foreign policy one can formulate as
follows:
Modern, responsible and based on the Bulgarian national interests and the shared
European values and responsibilities, aiming at making the country a major factor of
peace and stability in the region and the world at large. Restore and affirm Bulgaria/s
positive image in the European Union and in the world at large. Bring to conclusion the
European integration of the country by joining the Economic and Monetary Union and
the Schengen space. Participate actively in the process of forthcoming institutional
transformations in the EU and gain a leading role in the formulation of the European
policy towards the Western Balkans and the Black Sea region. Develop relations of equal
partnership with Russia through the prism of our EU membership and in consonance with
the Euro-Atlantic realities, with the aim of contributing to the stability of the region.
Secure access of the Bulgarian producers to markets outside the EU and render more
dynamic the economic relations with countries like USA, Russia and third countries.
Preserve and uphold the Bulgarian national self-awareness and the ethno-cultural identity
of the Bulgarians and the Bulgarian communities around the world as a leading priority.
 Goals of the foreign policy of Bulgaria are as follows:

CONFIRM BULGARIA’S PLACE IN THE CENTRE OF EUROPEAN

POLICY
Participate actively in the drafting of European policies of common interest,
including in the field of judiciary cooperation, the fight against organized crime and
corruption. Develop cooperation in the EU in the area of justice and home affairs. Secure
Bulgaria’s access to all financial instruments and funds. Participate actively in the
coordinated actions of the EU and the international community in response to the global
challenges, including the financial crisis and climate change. Speed up the preparation
work to join the Schengen Agreement. Speed up the preparation work to join the
Economic and Monetary Union. Maintain an active and leading role in the elaboration of
the European policy towards the Western Balkans and the Black Sea region. Uphold the
European perspective of our Balkan neighbors, as well as their integration in the EU in
consonance with their individual goals and achievements, and with the EU potential.
Develop a common EU energy policy to include the European trans-border energy
infrastructural projects, the interconnectivity of the energy networks, the diversification
of energy sources, as well as the development of the Bulgarian nuclear energy. Prepare
Bulgaria to apply efficiently the Lisbon Treaty in view of its eventual entry into force.
Participate actively in the process of the forthcoming institutional transformations in the
EU.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE EURO-ATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP AS A

GUARANTEE OF PEACE AND GLOBAL SECURITY
Expand and deepen the strategic partnership with USA and our European partners
on a broad range of issues of common interest. Develop a national strategy and adequate
capabilities for Bulgaria’s participation in international missions, including those of
NATO and the EU Secure Bulgaria’s active involvement in EU and NATO missions
which contribute to the prevention or containment of threats to peace and international
security and the security of member-states, to the fight against terrorism, illicit human,
arms and drug trafficking, as well as trans-border crime. Participate actively in initiatives
in the EU and NATO framework aimed at deepening Trans-Atlantic partnership in the
political and the economic field. Preparation for the missions evaluating Bulgaria’s
readiness to join Schengen in the ‘Border’ area. Preparation to issue the new identity
documents with biometric data. Participate in the work of the EC Committee on
“Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows” and in the management of the
“Repatriation” Fund and the “External Borders” Fund. Exchange information and carry
out coordination in the oversight and transfer of explosives, firearms and ammunition
within the EU. Train experts for the efficient participation in the work of the EU and
NATO bodies.

MAKE BULGARIA A MAJOR FACTOR OF THE DEMOCRATIC

STABILITY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BALKANS AND THE BLACK
SEA REGION
Strengthen the country’s leading regional role by implementing the political
vision of the EU about the Balkans, carrying out as a priority the European policy of
Black Sea Synergy and being actively involved in the Eastern Partnership policy. Pro-
active Bulgarian stance in the process of integration of the countries of the Western
Balkans, which also involves seeking guarantees about the irreversibility of their
democratic gains, as well as lasting solutions regarding the rights and the statute of our
compatriots in the region. Assist the construction of energy and transport corridors and
expand further Bulgaria’s participation in the region’s infrastructural development in
compliance with the European environmental norms. Maintain active bilateral cultural,
scientific and educational exchange. Consolidate the Bulgarian national and cultural
identity as a part of the European cultural space. Improve the cooperation in resolving
trans-border challenges, including the fight against organized crime, the protection of the
environment, etc. Chairrmanship of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Establish a
Bulgarian-Turkish Border Control and Surveillance Integrated System and a coordination
centre under a Schengen Instrument program, as well as an Integrated Blue Border
Control and Surveillance System. Introduce new border-police vessels for the protection
of Bulgaria’s sea and river borders in compliance with the Concept on the development of
the vessel structure of the border police by 2011.
 ENHANCE BULGARIA’S ROLE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
Support the efforts of the state and the business to overcome the negative impact
of the world economic crisis on the country’s economy. Attract foreign investment and
capital into Bulgaria. Facilitate the access of Bulgarian producers to markets outside the
EU and render more dynamic our economic relations with the USA and Russia as well as
with the countries of the Middle and the Far East. Efficient participation of Bulgaria in
international infrastructural projects. Improvement of the terms of Bulgaria‘s
participation in international trade and economic cooperation by facilitating the access to
resources, energy sources and markets. Defend Bulgaria’s national interests in the
international economic and financial organizations. Contribute as an EU and WTO
member to the success of the Doha Round. Expand the country’s participation and
cooperation with the OECD operative bodies.

ASSIST THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE INTEGRATION OF THE

BULGARIAN COMMUNITIES ABROAD AND AFFIRMING THE POSITIVE
IMAGE OF BULGARIA
Develop a national strategy for the preservation and dissemination of the
Bulgarian culture, identity and language, and for guaranteeing the rights of the Bulgarians
and the Bulgarian language communities around the world. Maintain contacts with the
representatives of the Bulgarian communities and their organizations outside the
Republic of Bulgaria. Undertake economic and administrative measures encouraging the
reintegration of our compatriots returning to Bulgaria. Improve the consular services for
Bulgarian and foreign natural and legal persons. Create a crisis management centre of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an inter-agency crisis management centre to act as
structural units for the management of critical situations with consular implications.
Create the necessary normative regulations to guarantee timely and efficient consular
protection of Bulgarian citizens and Bulgarian businesses abroad, and of non-Bulgarian
EU citizens in third countries. Disseminate the Bulgarian spiritual, cultural and historical
heritage abroad by holding events to introduce the national cultural values. Draft and
implement a program for the pro-active presentation of Bulgaria in the cultural calendar
of international festivals and fairs.

CONSOLIDATE THE NATIONAL IDENTITY AND PURSUE A POLICY

OF ADJUSTMENT OF BULGARIANS FROM THE BULGARIAN
COMMUNITIES ABROAD IN THEIR PERMANENT SETTLEMENT IN THE
REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
Preserve the Bulgarian self-awareness among our compatriots abroad by means of
educational programs and cultural initiatives. Support the Bulgarian orthodox churches
and parishes throughout the world by means of coordinated activities in pursuing the state
policy in the area of the right to religious faith. Provide conditions for the preservation of
the Bulgarian archives and their popularization in the ethno-cultural European space in
view of consolidating the national identity. Foster the establishment and the development
of Bulgarian media around the world – Bulgarian TV, printed and internet media. Foster
efficient educational policies in the Bulgarian public, private and Sunday schools abroad.
Support the reopening of the centers for Bulgarian studies and the Bulgarian lectureships
in the European universities. Create a positive image of Bulgaria by means of cultural
projects and dissemination of Bulgaria’s cultural and historical heritage

IMPLEMENT STATE POLICY VIS-À-VIS THE BULGARIANS LIVING

ABROAD BY MEANS OF LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES
Optimize the procedure of granting Bulgarian citizenship. Initiate legislative
amendments to the Bulgarian Citizenship Act. Ease the procedure of acquiring Bulgarian
citizenship for persons of Bulgarian origin and for highly qualified experts. Draft a bill on
the Bulgarian communities and the Bulgarians living outside the Republic of Bulgaria.
Support and protect the interests of the Bulgarian communities by developing
institutionalized policy to them. Develop a uniform mechanism regarding the application
of comprehensive policies to the Bulgarians living abroad (educational, cultural, social,
economic and others). Safeguard the rights of the Bulgarians in consonance with the
European legislation and the Human Rights Charter, and in the context of the European
migration policy.
 INTEGRATION AND SOCIALISATION OF BULGARIAN IMMIGRANTS
DESIROUS TO RETURN TO THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
Develop a database to administer, trace out and analyze migration flows. Exercise
coordination among the institutions that carry out the policy regarding the Bulgarian
communities abroad. Organize expert working groups on the problems of the Bulgarian
communities abroad and develop effective mechanisms to address specific problematic
situations. Launch joint initiatives with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Science,
and the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad to carry out information and education
campaigns among our young compatriots from the Bulgarian communities.

SECURE AND MAINTAIN A PROFESSIONAL AND COMPETENT

DIPLOMATIC SERVICE
Analysis and streamlining of the network of Bulgarian diplomatic missions
abroad. Organize an orderly selection system, creating conditions for predictable career
development and raising the qualification and the language training of the employees in
the diplomatic service by amending the existing normative regulations. Review and
evaluate the existing property abroad, and execute the necessary actions to adapt to the
requirements of the Schengen Agreement. Open the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the
general public, especially to the young people; make more efficient the dialogue with the
civil society structures and with the academic community.

Conclusion: ASA and MFA are two quite important institutions that give us a
wonderful possibility to research and explore Bulgarian archives documents in regard
with Bulgarian-Korean relations.
The draft structure of the periods of documents to work with can be as follows:
1. Establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of Bulgaria
(PRB) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Mutual relations
between the two countries in 40-50th of the 20th century;
2. The Korean War;
3. Mutual relations between the PRB and the DPRK in 60th of the 20th century;
4. Mutual relations between the PRB and the DPRK in 70th of the 20th century;
5. Mutual relations between the PRB and the DPRK in 80th of the 20th century;
6. Mutual relations between the PRB and the DPRK in 90th of the 20th century;
7. Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Bulgaria (RB) and the
Republic of Korea (RK) in 90th of the 20th century;
8. Development of the mutual relations between the RB and the DPRK in the 21 st
century;
9. Development of the mutual relations between the RB and the RK in the 21st century;

References and Sources:

http://www.archives.government.bg
http://bulgarian.bulgaria.usembassy.gov
http://www.cpusa.org
Seo Jung Seok (2007), Sixty Years of the Korean Modern History, Seoul:
History and criticism.
http://www.mfa.bg/en/pages/view/10
http://www.mfa.bg/en/pages/view/9
http://www.mfa.bg/en/pages/view/13
http://www.mfa.bg/en/pages/view/11