UNJournal Kayla Lee |  Uzbek Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Vitaliy Fen, a Goryoin (ethnic Korean), passed away on June 18 at the age of 76.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Vitaliy Fen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea," the Uzbek Embassy in Seoul said on June 19.

"For 25 years, Ambassador Fen led the diplomatic mission of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Korea and made a significant contribution to the development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea," the embassy said.

“Amb. Fen was a remarkable statesman, accomplished athlete and professional diplomat who dedicated his entire life to serving his Motherland. His efforts left an enduring mark on the friendly and longstanding ties between Korea and Uzbekistan,” it added.

Fen's health reportedly worsened after he returned to Uzbekistan for work and medical treatment.

Ambassador Fen served as ambassador to South Korea for nearly 14 years, from 1999 to 2013, and was reassigned to South Korea in 2017.

Fluent in Korean, Ambassador Fen has consistently expressed his love for Korea at various events and interviews.

In 2017, he was awarded the Korean government's highest diplomatic honor, the Gwanghwa Order, for his contributions to Korea-Uzbekistan relations.