08 Mar 2018
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Kang Kyung-wha called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana and was hosted to breakfast by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan today.
Prime Minister Lee and Minister Kang reaffirmed the warm and longstanding relations between Singapore and the ROK, and had a broad discussion on regional and global developments. Minister Kang briefed Prime Minister Lee on the recent developments on the Korean Peninsula as well as President Moon Jae-in’s “New Southern Policy”, which aims to increase the ROK’s engagement of the region. Prime Minister Lee welcomed the ROK’s interest to step up ties with Singapore and ASEAN, and highlighted several areas where these links can be further strengthened.
Minister Balakrishnan and Minister Kang discussed how our two countries could expand bilateral cooperation in areas such as connectivity and trade. Minister Balakrishnan reaffirmed the longstanding ASEAN-ROK ties, and looked forward to working with the ROK to broaden ASEAN-ROK cooperation during our ASEAN Chairmanship. The Ministers also exchanged views on regional issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Minister Balakrishnan hoped that the recent developments, including the inter-Korean talks, would contribute towards lasting peace and the eventual denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 MARCH 2018
