Deputy Minister Lee Yong-joon visited Myanmar from January 4 to 5 and met with Myanmar’s Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Thu. He also visited Laos on January 7 and met with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsavath Boupha.

During the meeting with Myanmar’s Minister for Foreign Affairs U Nyan Win and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Thu, Deputy Minister Lee pledged to promote the establishment of a regular consultation system between the foreign ministries of the two countries and discussed ways to improve bilateral cooperation in the areas of labor and development. In this regard, he expressed the will to share the Korean government’s experience in economic development and democratization and hoped for smooth implementation of Myanmar’s political development.    

After the visit to Myanmar, the Deputy Minister visited Laos and met with Laos Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsavath Boupha. He noted that the visit of Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh to Korea in June, 2008 served as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation. Discussing ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of politics, diplomacy, energy, resources and development assistance, Deputy Minister Lee also expressed the will to make active cooperation with Laos, which is to become a country coordinator for the ASEAN-Korea dialogue in July, 2009 to improve the relations between Korea and the ASEAN. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Phongsavath Boupha pledged active support in the endeavor.

Briefing on the status of preparation for the Korea-ASEAN Commemorative Summit to be held in Jeju Island in June, 2009, the Deputy Minister also delivered the Korean government’s position on the improvement of the Korea-ASEAN relations as well as bilateral relations with member countries of the ASEAN.