Georgian Ambassador to South Korea announces departure from diplomatic service

Georgia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea, Tarash Papaskua, has announced that he will conclude his tenure on December 22 and return to Georgia with his family, marking his departure from diplomatic service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a statement published on social media, Papaskua said that the reasons and circumstances surrounding his decision were no longer of interest, adding that he is preparing for “new adventures” but did not elaborate on his future plans.

“On December 22, I will complete my work as Georgia’s Ambassador to Korea. Together with my family, I am returning to Georgia permanently,” Papaskua wrote. “I am leaving the diplomatic service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Reflecting on his posting, Papaskua described his ambassadorship to South Korea - his first appointment at ambassadorial rank - as both an honor and a significant responsibility. He expressed gratitude to former Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili for nominating his candidacy.

Papaskua highlighted South Korea’s transformation from one of the world’s poorest countries at the end of the Korean War (1950–1953) into a leading global economy and democratic society, praising its innovation-driven development, technological advancement, and cultural influence. He also noted the global popularity of Korean culture, including K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and Korean cuisine.

Assessing Georgia-South Korea relations, Papaskua said that while the past three years had brought both successes and setbacks, bilateral cooperation had progressed despite dramatic changes in the global geopolitical environment. He cited factors such as US-China strategic competition, Russia’s war against Ukraine, the continued occupation of Georgian territories by Russia, Moscow’s strategic alignment with North Korea, and rising regional tensions.

He also referenced Georgia’s inability in 2023 to support Busan’s bid to host World Expo 2030, calling it a significant priority for South Korea at the time and acknowledging that the decision affected the dynamics of bilateral relations.

Papaskua further noted that South Korea experienced an unprecedented political crisis on December 3, 2024, when a state of emergency was declared for the first time in 40 years, followed by the impeachment of the president, a period of political instability, and ultimately a democratic transition of power through elections on June 3, 2025.

Turning to domestic developments, Papaskua said that Georgia’s internal political situation over the past two years had weakened diplomatic efforts and damaged the country’s international image. Nevertheless, he outlined several key achievements during his tenure, including the restoration of direct Seoul-Tbilisi charter flights after the COVID-19 pandemic, a nearly fourfold increase in the number of Korean visitors to Georgia, and the successful conclusion of negotiations on a Georgia-South Korea Free Trade Agreement within eight months, with signing expected in the near future.

He also highlighted South Korea’s decision in November 2024 to grant resident embassy status to its diplomatic mission in Tbilisi, the opening of a KOTRA office in Georgia in November 2025, and South Korea’s support - on June 3, 2025, for the first time in 17 years - for a United Nations General Assembly resolution on the status of internally displaced persons and refugees from Georgia’s occupied regions.

Papaskua expressed gratitude to South Korean colleagues and partners for their cooperation and support, and thanked the Korean people for the warmth and hospitality shown to him and his family.