MFA Press Statement: Introductory Visit Of Minister For Foreign Affairs And Minister For Law K Shanmugam To Japan And The Republic Of Korea 4 – 8 June 2012

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam will make his introductory visit to Japan from 4 to 6 June 2012, and to the Republic of Korea (ROK) from 6 to 8 June 2012.

In Japan, Minister Shanmugam will call on Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada, as well as hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, who will host Minister Shanmugam to a dinner.  Both Foreign Ministers will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Singapore Embassy in Tokyo, Singapore Red Cross Society (SRC) and the Soma City Municipal Government for the construction of a community hall in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture.  The Soma City project, which is funded by donations collected by the SRC, is part of Singapore’s humanitarian assistance to Japan following the March 11^th Earthquake and Tsunami last year.  In addition, Minister Shanmugam will meet President of the Liberal Democratic Party Sadakazu Tanigaki and be hosted to lunch by the Chairman of the Japan-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship League Yoshito Sengoku.

In the Republic of Korea, Minister Shanmugam will have a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, who will also host Minister Shanmugam to lunch.  Minister Shanmugam will also make a site visit to the village of Panmunjeom located in the Demilitarised Zone at the ROK border.  In addition, Minister Shanmugam will meet with other prominent Korean personalities from the political, media, academia and business communities.  

Minister Shanmugam will be accompanied by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sam Tan and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

3 JUNE 2012