Ambassador Petar Kraytchev has served as Bulgaria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea since April 2024. A career diplomat, he has held a range of senior positions at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Director of the Americas Directorate, Director General for Bilateral Relations, and Acting Director of the Strategic Communications and Public Diplomacy Directorate. His previous overseas assignments include serving as Consul General in Toronto, Deputy Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the United Nations, and Congressional Liaison at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington, D.C., where he served on two occasions.
Could you briefly introduce yourself and Bulgaria to our readers? Since arriving in the Republic of Korea as Ambassador, what experience or aspect of Korean society has been particularly memorable to you?
First of all, it is indeed a privilege to address the HUFS Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence and the Seoul Institute of Global Affairs. To me – in a few simple words – it has been the ultimate honor to serve my homeland of Bulgaria as a career diplomat over the last 25 years and presently as the Bulgarian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. Previously, I have been posted to Washington, DC twice as the Congressional liaison on the Political section of the Bulgarian Embassy in the U.S.; to New York as the Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN; to Toronto as the Consul General of the Republic of Bulgaria. Back home in Sofia I have held a number of positions at the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs including Director for the Americas and Director General for Bilateral Relations. The beautiful metropolis of Seoul has been the second home for me and my family since March 2024. In another life – prior to my diplomatic career – I was involved in media and journalism and I also co-founded an NGO for international exchange in culture and education.
Bulgaria – there is no other like it. A country of uniquely vibrant historical legacy spanning over thirteen centuries at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, known today for its unique culture and ancient history, remarkable natural beauty, thriving high-tech sector, strategic role within the European Union and NATO and so much more. I will expand on all of this that as the interview progresses but it was truly striking for me to find out how close Bulgaria and the Republic of Korea really are in terms of values, traditions, and life as we know it. Since my arrival in the Republic of Korea, I have been impressed by the harmony between Korea’s ancient heritage and its dynamic, forward-looking modernization. What stands out most is the profound warmth and hospitality of the Korean people, alongside their incredible dedication to education, innovation, and civic responsibility. Observing how seamlessly technology is integrated into daily life while respecting cultural traditions has been truly memorable, inspiring, and reminiscent of my own home.
Most importantly, however, I have encountered something fascinating – despite the considerable distance between the two countries both Bulgarians and Koreans seem share identical appreciation of history, tradition, family, and generosity. I found it so very easy to establish a home for me and my family in Seoul specifically because our societies – however distant they may be geographically – care deeply about the same things e.g. compassion and empathy for one another, hospitality, selfless love and appreciation for family, education and culture, sharing our fortunes with others, caring deeply for our elders etc.
In a nutshell, I am humbled and grateful to all of my Korean colleagues and friends for constantly making me feel like I truly belong thus enhancing my mission of bringing the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Korea even closer together in friendship and cooperation.
What message would you like to share with young people and readers in the Republic of Korea regarding Europe and the changing international environment?
Ah, an important question whose answer should be considered very carefully…specifically because there is so much to learn from the up-and-coming generations with their ingenuity and fresh outlook onto the world. I would ideally like to convey a simple message of encouragement, of optimism, curiosity, and engagement. Just reach out and you will be surprised of how much there is to discover and experience in our part of the world.
The Republic of Korea and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations in 1990 and elevated their relationship to a “Comprehensive, Future-Oriented Partnership” in 2015. How do you assess the current state of bilateral relations?
Ever since diplomatic relations were established between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Korea in 1990, the ties between our countries have sustained a perpetual trend of enhancement through exchange of visits across the vast spectrum of government, public, and private sectors. At present, we are witnessing the emergence of valuable new opportunities for even closer cooperation – in Bulgaria there is a genuine surge of interest in Korean language, history, and culture. Bulgaria’s vibrant identity and magnificence are perceived with similar enthusiasm in the Republic of Korea. In addition to the existing opportunities for exchange, the plethora of possibilities to cooperate expands with every passing year. Bulgaria and RoK are now alluring destinations to acquire new knowledge, experiences, perceptions, perspectives, and – crucially – new friendships as well. Of course, this is a process, which transpires far beyond the Embassy’s domain. It unites all friends of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Korea on both sides. Speaking of which, I would like to particularly recognize and offer my appreciation to the RoK Team in Sofia with Ambassador H.E. Kim Dong-bae at the helm for their dedication and generosity in advancing the bilateral relations.
Bulgaria has considerable potential in information and communication technology, automotive components, research and development, energy, infrastructure, and the food industry. In which areas do you see the greatest opportunities for expanding trade, investment, and industrial cooperation between South Korean and Bulgarian enterprises?
Bulgaria offers a highly strategic entrance point for Korean enterprises into the European single market, featuring competitive operating costs, a highly skilled workforce, and low corporate tax rates. Immediate opportunities lie in automotive components, energy, ITC and more. Hyundai Engineering and Construction (HDEC) is currently in Bulgaria working closely with us to expand my country’s nuclear energy capabilities – a generational project with strategic importance and implications.
Bulgaria’s thriving ICT and software development sector offers excellent grounds for joint R&D projects in software, AI, and cybersecurity. In trade, high-quality Bulgarian agricultural and food products – such as our world-famous rose oil, wine, and dairy – hold great appeal for Korean consumers, creating robust avenues for commercial expansion.
Energy security and the transition toward a sustainable energy system are important priorities for both countries. What opportunities do you see for practical cooperation in nuclear energy, renewable energy, energy infrastructure, and advanced energy technologies?
Back to Bulgaria and HDEC just like I mentioned. Energy security is critical for both Bulgaria and the Republic of Korea. One could easily recognize nuclear power as a vital source of baseline, carbon-free energy. Korea’s world-class engineering and construction capabilities in the nuclear sector present significant opportunities for collaboration as Bulgaria modernizes and expands its nuclear energy capacity. Beyond nuclear energy, I think there is strong potential in renewable energy infrastructure, grid modernization, battery storage, and green hydrogen technology.
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies has a Department of Bulgarian Studies, while Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” has a long-established Department of Korean Studies. How can these academic foundations be used to expand student and faculty exchanges, joint research, language education, and professional networks for younger generations?
And what a tremendous blessing that is – we are exceptionally proud of the academic bridge built between the Department of Bulgarian Studies at HUFS and the Department of Korean Studies at the Sofia University – the oldest such institution in Bulgaria. Last year, on the occasion of 35 Years of Diplomatic Relations and 20 Years of Bulgarian Studies, we held a special ceremony to voice our gratitude to everyone’s contribution in this incredible journey, including Prof. Lyudmila Atanasova and Prof. Spas Rangelov who attended in person.
This is the time and the place for me to take this valuable opportunity to express my most sincere appreciation to Prof. Kang Kee-Hoon, the distinguished President of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, for his kind and unwavering support.
To maximize this potential, we could work to increase targeted scholarship programs, dual-degree tracks, and faculty exchange initiatives. Beyond language training, we can facilitate joint research projects on regional security, trade dynamics, and digital transformation. Creating more internships and networking platforms that connect these language and area-studies graduates directly with Korean and Bulgarian businesses will translate academic knowledge into concrete professional career paths. And a piece of great news as well – in addition to the regular internship opportunities, provided for Bulgarian Studies students at the Bulgarian Embassy in Seoul, in 2026 we offered an employment contract to one of the many bright Korean graduates who now holds a position at the Embassy – a first of many more such opportunities to come, I hope.
Bulgaria has a rich cultural heritage encompassing history, literature, music, cuisine, traditional products, and diverse regional cultures. What public or cultural diplomacy initiatives is the Embassy currently pursuing or planning to introduce to deepen the South Korean public’s understanding of Bulgaria and encourage greater people-to-people exchange?
Where should I start…at the very beginning I suppose. You should know that Bulgaria takes immense pride in being the cradle of the Bulgarian alphabet (a.k.a the Cyrillic alphabet), a pivotal contribution to global cultural heritage. In the late 9th century, following the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius, their disciples found enthusiastic state support in Bulgaria under Tsar Boris I and Tsar Simeon the Great. It was there – in Bulgaria – where scholars adapted the earlier Glagolitic script into the Cyrillic alphabet, tailoring it specifically to the phonetics of the Slavic language and naming it in honor of St. Cyril. The Bulgarian alphabet transformed medieval Bulgaria into the cultural and spiritual beacon of the Slavic world. From the Bulgarian literary centers, liturgical and philosophical texts spread far beyond Bulgaria, establishing the written tradition that serves some 250 million people today and stands as one of the three official scripts of the European Union.
On a separate note, cultural diplomacy is one of our most effective tools for building lasting bonds and rightfully so. The Embassy actively pursues a multi-faceted approach to introduce Bulgaria’s rich heritage to the Korean society, ranging from exhibitions, lectures, exchanges, performances etc. We have had considerable success while promoting gastronomy, wine, famous rose-based cosmetic products. We are also heavily pursuing avenues to enhance tourism exchange, promote trade related travel and attract as many young people to Bulgaria as possible – both through Government supported programs and private initiative. Thank you for your support in this mesmerizing endeavor!
Interviews conducted via email by Hayann Lee (Deputy Director, HUFS Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence)