A 35-year-old Kazakh traveler Damir Kusheyev made an unusual journey by bike from Seoul to Busan. He rode 800 kilometres.
“Why Korea? Because this year on January 28, Kazakhstan and Korea celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The second point is that Korea erected a monument to our great poet Abai Kunanbaiuly. The third thing is that Korea is the only country that has an 800 km track from Busan to Seoul,” Kusheyev said,
During the trip, Damir gave Kazakhstan chocolate to South Korean residents. He carried the Kazakh flag through the whole country. Also, a consulate of Kazakhstan will be opened in Busan.
“Kazakhstan is a country with unlimited possibilities. Korean companies have a good chance to do business. I work in logistics, and I see good opportunities for the synthesis of the rich resources of Kazakhstan with advanced technologies of Korea,” noted businessman Lee Sang Hoon.
According to Kusheyev, the distance was not easy to cover. He encountered wild animals, he was running out of food, the water was freezing, and he spent nights in a tent in the open air. But, in large cities, the residents welcomed him with all honors. In Daejeon, a guard of honour was stationed to greet the traveller. In this city, he visited the grave of the Korean hero Hong Beom-do, whose remains were brought from Kyzylorda in August last year.
“We are grateful for the donation of the ashes of Hong Beom-do. He is the hero of the struggle for the independence of Korea and the person who contributed to our country being the way it is now. Many citizens come here to honour him,” said Park Jong Dae, memorial complex worker.
“We intend to sign an agreement on the establishment of sister-city relations with Kyzylorda. The Kazakh delegation will come with a visit on March 1. Now we are preparing to conclude cooperation agreements,” added Kang Jung Wan, spokesperson for Daejeon Mayor’s Office.
The cyclist also visited Hankuk University, the only university in Korea where the Kazakh language is studied. The students sang the song of the great Kazakh poet Abai especially for him.
The bike ride ended in Seoul near the monument to Abai Kunanbaiuly. But Damir Kusheev's foreign travels did not end there.
“I set myself the goal of driving through all those countries with monuments to the great Abai Kunanbaiuly. There are more than 10 such countries. And the two countries I visited are Turkey and Korea. Eight countries left,” the traveller shared.
Translation and editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova
