Vitaly Fen Politician, Uzbek sports official Date of Birth: 18.10.1947 Country: Uzbekistan

1. Early Life and Education
2. Sports Administration
3. Diplomatic Service
4. Retirement and Honors
5. Return to Diplomacy
6. Personal Life
7. Legacy

Early Life and Education

Vitaly Vasilyevich Fen was born on October 18, 1947, in Margilan, a cultural city in the Ferghana Valley of Uzbekistan. His ancestors migrated from Korea to Vladivostok in the USSR and subsequently settled in the Ferghana region in 1937.

Fen graduated from the Tashkent Institute of Physical Culture and Sports, where he began his career in sports administration. He rose through the ranks to become Chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Committee of the Ferghana region, Deputy Chairman of the Ferghana Regional Executive Committee, and Deputy Chairman of the Physical Culture and Sports Committee of the Uzbek SSR.

Sports Administration

As a prominent sports administrator, Fen played a crucial role in developing grassroots sports in Ferghana and contributing to the training of USSR Olympic teams. He was included in the delegation of the Soviet team at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, where he assisted the USSR Sports Committee Chairman Marat Gramov.

Diplomatic Service

After Uzbekistan gained independence in 1995, Fen was appointed as the Head of the Diplomatic Mission of Uzbekistan in South Korea by President Islam Karimov. He arrived in Seoul in December 1995 with the mission of establishing the Uzbek Embassy.

During his tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (1999-2013), Fen organized eight reciprocal visits and nine meetings between Uzbekistan's President Karimov and the Presidents of South Korea. His leadership resulted in significant financial and technical assistance from South Korea to Uzbekistan, particularly in the fields of engineering, light industry, oil and gas, and high technology.

Retirement and Honors

In 2013, after 17 years of diplomatic service, Fen retired and returned to his hometown in Ferghana. He received the Order of Gwanghwa from the South Korean government in recognition of his achievements in diplomatic relations.

Return to Diplomacy

In 2017, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev appointed Fen to once again head Uzbekistan's diplomatic mission in South Korea. He accepted the offer, stating, "I am ready to serve my country!"

Personal Life

Fen was married to Lyudmila Sergeevna Fen and had three children: Alexander, Elena, and Natalia. In his youth, he actively pursued boxing and achieved the status of Master of Sports USSR. He also enjoyed playing tennis, chess, and reading books.

Legacy

Vitaly Vasilyevich Fen passed away on June 18, 2024, at the age of 76. He left behind a legacy of service to his country, both in sports administration and diplomacy. He will be remembered as a dedicated and influential figure who strengthened the bonds between Uzbekistan and South Korea.