“Do you know what tortures me as president? I do not have enough time!” — Shavkat Mirziyoyev

“Do you know what troubles me as president? I don't have enough time!” — Shavkat Mirziyoyev

During his state visit to South Korea, Shavkat Mirziyoyev mentioned during a meeting with compatriots in Seoul that he lacks time.

“...I drive a lot in the car, and seeing young people communicating with each other on the street, I think: if only they knew that these are their happiest days. Do you know what troubles me as president? I don't have enough time!”.

Hearing these words during the head of state's dialogue with our compatriots in Seoul, I was moved. We now know that not only the journalists who came to cover the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan, and our entire delegation, but also our president himself is running out of time.

Imagine, Seoul is 4 hours ahead. On September 15, when it was 6 a.m. in Uzbekistan, the head of state's meeting at the National Assembly of Korea was taking place.

I overheard the words our president said while saying goodbye to the speaker of parliament: “We have a lot of work, we have to wake up at 4 o'clock”.

The meaning of “We have a lot of work”, in my opinion, is this: the president's work program before noon includes 1 meeting, 1 reception, a speech at the Uzbekistan-Korea business forum for 200 people, a document signing ceremony, a ceremony to launch 5 joint new projects in the regions of Uzbekistan, and tet-a-tets with 10 Korean chaebol companies (huge diversified family businesses). At the same time, people have gathered in another hall, where about 50 compatriots living and studying in Korea are waiting. Let alone being at the head of these tasks, just reading through them makes you say “wow”.

I overhear the words of serious people in suits: “maybe the meeting with compatriots will be canceled? Let's just tell him not to go to the meeting, they need to prepare for the summit, they haven't even had lunch yet”.

We also witness them working without having lunch, especially abroad where events follow one after another. The president tries to talk to more people. The president says, let me bring more benefit to my country.

Talking to an extremely large number of people in one day, giving instructions, and delivering speeches — the “non-stop” regime takes its toll: the president sometimes apologizes for clearing his throat, saying half-jokingly, half-seriously, “they don't even give me water”.

The audience consists of young people. There are recipients of the “El-yurt umidi” Foundation scholarships, or those who have “already put down roots and spread their branches” — starting a business with 50 dollars and today importing from Uzbekistan, or female scholars who started by teaching Uzbek to 7 Korean students at a university and now teach more than 70 students a year.

The president explains the details of the visit to them, talks about why he came to Korea, how our relations are developing, and how to help the citizens here. He listens to the proposals of about 10 young people.

The protocol service comes to the leader several times and reminds him: “It has been 9 hours”.

The head of state, however, continues the dialogue. We journalists try to figure it out. Has it been 9 hours since they have been working continuously, or are there 9 hours left until the start of an important event?

At the meeting, Yelena Chuyanova, who is conducting research in Korea, mentions the “fast, hurried culture”: 빨리빨리 문화 (ppalli-ppalli munhwa). That is, the condition for not falling behind progress is to conquer time, not only “physically” but also “spiritually”.

This culture that developed Korea is similar to our president's principle of “hurrying without rushing”. This is the dream of building an Uzbekistan that does not fall behind the times.

“Do not waste even a single minute of your time. 5 years will pass, 10-15 years will pass. Who will govern Uzbekistan? You. True, longing troubles you. In the pain of longing for the Motherland, gain more knowledge, serve the motherland with loyalty”.

The day spent “on feet” for 9 hours still does not end. On September 16, there will be the Central Asia Five and Korea summit; the president will go now and prepare his speech and initiatives.

When the leader rests — finding the answer to this question is still a mystery for the entire delegation.

“I torment myself, and I torment you too, I won't leave you alone until you work, a nation of 40 million is looking at us. We must make them pleased”.

I do not know the secret of the 9-hour “non-stop”, but its purpose is clearly this.