mofa eNewsMaker

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan visited Thailand and Myanmar on April 30-May 2.

In Thailand, Minister Kim met with his Thai counterpart Surapong Tovichakchaikul and paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on May 1.

In their meeting, the two Ministers agreed to forge a bilateral strategic partnership and to continue close consultation for the leaders of the two countries to make a formal declaration at an appropriate occasion.

The two Ministers exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Southeast Asia. They also discussed ways to boost trade and to work together in energy, resources, constructing infrastructure, including a system for managing water resources and high-speed railway, defense and relevant industry, culture and education, as well as on regional and global stages.

Minister Kim noted with appreciation the development of bilateral relations through high-level exchanges, such as the bilateral summit meeting held during Prime Minister Yingluck’s recent official visit to the ROK.

Where Minister Surapong expressed serious concerns over North Korea’s recent launch of a long-range missile, Minister Kim extended appreciation to the Thai government for issuing a statement on April 19 in this regard.

Minister Surapong also took note of the success of the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit and voiced hope for further development of bilateral relations through meetings of the ROK-Thailand joint committees.

After his visit to Thailand, Minister Kim proceeded to Myanmar, where he paid a courtesy call on President Thein Sein and met with his counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin in the Myanmarese capital of Nepido on May 2.

During the courtesy call on President Thein Sein, the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of matters, including the situation in Myanmar as well as ways to promote substantive cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Minister Kim took note of the political and reformative progress in Myanmar and highlighted the need for strong efforts to boost bilateral trade and investment.

Minister Kim also relayed the willingness of the ROK government to contribute to the development process in Myanmar through cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the Mekong region.

President Thein Sein extended gratitude to the ROK side for its development cooperation efforts, such as the continued expansion of official development assistance and sharing of is its development experience. He voiced hope for continued support and a growth in bilateral exchanges in various fields, including politics, economy, culture and sports.

Earlier in the day, Minister Kim had met with Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin to commend the progress in the democratization and other positive changes in Myanmar following the launch of its civil government. The two sides discussed in depth the current situation on the Korean Peninsula as well as ways to increase high-level exchanges with the aim to promote bilateral relations; and to work more closely together in various fields, including trade, investment, development, energy and resources, and on regional and global stages.

Minister Kim commended the recent strides in the political and economic reform in Myanmar and welcomed the designation of the country as the chair of ASEAN for 2014.

The two Ministers exchanged views on the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, including the stern responses of the ROK and the international community to North Korea’s missile launch. Minister Kim requested the cooperation of Myanmar on North Korea issues.

Agreeing to take a keen interest in and work to boost bilateral trade and investment, the two Ministers exchanged views on ways to improve the investment environment in Myanmar.

Minister Wunna Maung Lwin expressed appreciation for the resumption of ROK's grant aid and loans to Myanmar. He voiced hope for continued support from the ROK in the development process in Myanmar, and requested assistance in developing human resources.

The visit to Myanmar and Thailand by Minister Kim is expected to have served as a good opportunity to develop the ROK's relations with Thailand and Myanmar in the years to come.