On the Occasion of Publication of Arabia Felix, Yemen

Yemen, which has played a pivotal role in the commercial activities in history, is preparing to “take-off” toward a new “Civilization Road" in the 21st century. Yemen, having past valuable experiences in world trade, makes efforts to play a central role in world trade, especially in the Red Sea after the reunification.

The evaluation to Yemeni unity is still concentrated on democracy and modernization by the western method. This method, excluded from the Arab or Yemeni thinking, has a tendency to exaggerate only economic achievements. At any rate, Yemeni unity cannot be understood correctly without the entire understanding of President Saleh's sovereign philosophy.

This is the reason why I wrote this book. I have anxiously observed the process of Yemeni development during the 20 years after Yemeni unity. The sudden unity in 1990 gave Koreans and me a great shock following German unification. Having lived in a divided country, I think Korean people have to learn the lesson of unity and to live together along the way. For this reason, Yemeni unification is important to Koreans.

What the Yemeni government has done made me deserve to write this book. I am deeply grateful to officials, including Fadl Abdulkhalek of the presidential office. I offer Dr. Ahmad M. Al-Kibisi, the vice rector of Sana'a University, my heartfelt thanks for his dedicated effort and advice. I also express my appreciation for Sheba Kim, the chairwoman of HUBY (Hubb ul-Yemen). She enabled me to finish this book with her sincere assistance and suggestions. 

This book would not have been possible without the dedicated help and effort of my colleagues. Many of them, too numerous to name here, assisted me in tracking down finds and enabled me to include the results of their research. To all of them I offer my thanks for their suggestions, help and efforts. (This book was first printed in July 2010, Seoul Korea)

Arabia Felix, Yemen

A Grand Design toward a Glorious, Happy Yemen

H.E. Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of Republic of Yemen

President Saleh united two Yemens as one independent nation in 1990. He is no doubt a great leader who has cherished the ambition for “Yemen, Happy Arabia". His ideology and philosophy seem to be based on the perception of the glorious Yemeni history.

Ali Abdullah Saleh's Grand Design and Philosophy

Ali Abdullah Saleh seems to be a lonely horseman on a thirsty horse with falcon's eyes only to look into the future against facing stormy wind.

As Ali Abdullah Saleh was born in political and economic chaos and participated in the nation-building with full patriotism, he seems to perceive the exact reason why Yemen was a less developed country. Yemeni policies have been demonstrated during the President Saleh's rule tell us that his ideology originated from the lesson of the glorious Yemen in history and his experiences in the process of nation-building. The ancient glorious legacies in Yemen say about a precious value of the traditional spirit to Yemeni people.

One of the most epochal fruits of Yemeni Unity during the 20 years of reunification is "the restoration of Yemeni the people's dignity" that shows respectful status, strength and pride of Yemen internationally. This is the first step to approach President Ali Abdullah Saleh's noble ambition which he has dreamed of the future of glorious Yemen.

President Saleh is no doubt a great leader who has cherished the ambition for "Yemen, Happy Arabia". I think President Saleh's ideology and philosophy are based on the perception of the rebirth of the glorious Yemen in history.

Ali Abdullah Saleh was born in a difficult social and economic situation. He became the president in a period of political chaos and united Yemen in a time of international changes. These circumstances made him from a military leader into a political leader, and now push him to finalize his desire as an economic leader.

Ali Abdullah Saleh's philosophy shows in his activities before and after the unity and Yemeni constitution has reflected his thought. Knowing well the fact human resources, capital and natural resources are prerequisite factors for developing the country, he has taken interest in the development of water and oil resources. He emphasizes the importance of human development and unique Yemeni tradition, especially the “Commercial Spirit” in the long history. That's why he stresses the restoration of Yemeni dignity and pride.

I am convinced that he would accomplish his dream when the abundance of oil and gas gush out of the well and flame color in Aden Free Zone shines brightly towards the Indan Ocean. Whether he realizes his dream or not he will remain "a pioneer of Yemeni modernity in history".

Published the English Book of Arabia Felix, Yemen

Yemen, which has played a pivotal role in the commercial activities in history, is preparing to “take-off” toward a new “Civilization Road" in the 21st century.

Korea has to learn about the "lesson of Yemeni unification" and to give the "lesson of economic growth". In this respect, the friendly relation between Korea and Yemen has to promote on the basis of mutual exchanges between two countries. Korea and Yemen have commonly special traditions of the long civilization, the grief of colonial rule and the tragedy of partition. In addition, two people have commonly diligence, endurance, hand skill and excellent commercial spirit. There is no doubt that Korea and Yemen are able to exchange the knowledge of experience with each other when they cooperate in the dimension of knowledge industry.

Dr. Hong wrote the English book of Arabia Felix, Yemen in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Yemeni unity in July 2010 . Prof. Dr. Ahmed M. Al-Kibsi, vice rector of University of Sana'a contributed the recommendation in the book.

This publication is consisted of  Korean, English, Arabic and the other languages concerned. The contents of the newsletter do not necessarily reflect either the position or the views of KYC.