MFA Press Statement: Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong’s Meeting with the President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-Bak, 6 September 2011

Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong called on the President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Myung-bak at the Blue House today. ESM and President Lee reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and the ROK - both countries share close economic ties, people-to-people relations, and have similar strategic views.

ESM and President Lee had a substantive discussion on regional developments. They agreed on the importance of maintaining regional peace and security as a key ingredient for sustained economic growth, especially during this period of economic uncertainty. In this context, the ROK can play an important role with ASEAN in shaping the regional architecture and institutions to reduce the threat of conflict. ESM also urged the ROK to further engage ASEAN in the security, economic and socio-cultural fields. One such area is for both ASEAN and the ROK to cooperate in the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.

ESM was in Seoul to deliver the keynote speech at the J-Global Forum on 5 September 2011*. This Forum was organised by the JoongAng Ilbo - one of the largest media outlets in the ROK. During his stay in Seoul, ESM also met Grand National Party leader Park Geun-hye, Democratic Party leader Sohn Hak-kyu, business leaders, and prominent media personalities and academics.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
6 SEPTEMBER 2011

*The theme for this year's J-Global Forum is "Facing the Reality: New Balance of Power in Northeast Asia".