Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam, who is in Seoul, Republic of Korea (ROK) for his introductory visit, held bilateral talks with his counterpart Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-hwan, who also hosted lunch. The two Ministers reaffirmed the excellent state of relations between Singapore and the ROK, and discussed ways to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation. In particular, they expressed support for the establishment of a bilateral dialogue involving government officials, academics, business leaders and media representatives to promote regular exchanges of views on bilateral and regional issues. Both Ministers also had a substantial discussion on regional and international issues. On the situation in the Korean Peninsula, they noted that peace and stability were necessary and irreplaceable conditions for economic development in the region.
Minister Shanmugam also called on ROK Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik yesterday. Prime Minister Kim and Minister Shanmugam expressed satisfaction at the warm friendship between Singapore and the ROK, which was characterised by a shared strategic outlook, close economic relations, and strong people-to-people ties. Minister Shanmugam also made a visit to the Joint Security Area in the Demilitarised Zone on the ROK border.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 JUNE 2012