President Moon Jae-in met with Prime Minister of Mongolia Ukhnaa Khurelsukh at Cheong Wa Dae for 30 minutes from 4:00 o’clock this afternoon. They discussed issues of mutual interest, including measures to advance bilateral relations, recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, regional security and economic cooperation.

Congratulating the Mongolian Prime Minister on his 100th day in office on January 11, President Moon welcomed him to Korea, his first overseas trip as Prime Minister. President Moon noted that Korea and Mongolia are close neighbors in terms of history, culture and geography, sharing such common values as democracy and a market economy and setting their sights on peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia. The President went on to propose that the two countries, based on such shared values and goals, continue to reinforce their comprehensive partnership by expanding substantive cooperation and people-to-people exchanges in the economy and trade. He also suggested the two sides work together to upgrade bilateral ties to a strategic partnership before the end of his term in office.

In particular, both President Moon and Prime Minister Khurelsukh hoped that their two countries` economy would be developed further in a mutually beneficial manner through the signing of a revision to the Korea-Mongolia framework agreement on the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), through which Korea would additionally provide US$500 million.   

President Moon gave high marks to the enhanced efforts of Mongolia, which maintains diplomatic ties with both South and North Korea and made a transition to a market economy from a socialist economy, to seek a role in bringing peace on the Korean Peninsula. In this connection, the President requested Mongolia`s continued cooperation.  

In addition, President Moon explained that the Korean Government was pushing for the creation of a responsible Northeast Asia Plus Community as part of efforts to promote peace and prosperity not only on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia but also in the whole Eurasian continent. Also explaining that his Administration was pushing ahead with the New Northern Policy and New Southern Policy in line with the initiative, the President noted that Mongolia, sitting at the center of the Eurasian continent, was a crucial partner of Korea for cooperation.   

Prime Minister Khurelsukh said Mongolia valued its comprehensive partnership with Korea and, for that reason, he chose Korea as the destination for his first international trip since his inauguration. Then, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that Mongolia’s relations with Korea would be further improved in all areas.

Prime Minister Khurelsukh also said the Mongolian Government actively supported President Moon’s idea and policy for the easing of tension on the Korean Peninsula as well as the promotion of peace and stability in Northeast Asia. 

The Prime Minister said the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games would be a festival for peace and harmony of the people around the world, and it would be the first important step forward for peace and stability in Northeast Asia, noting that North Korea’s participation in the event was largely attributable to President Moon’s initiative for dialogue and peace.