President Moon Jae-in and President of Slovakia Andrej Kiska held a summit at Cheong Wa Dae from 11:30 to 12:35 this morning. President Kiska is the first Slovak President to make an official visit to Korea. The two Presidents discussed ways to promote bilateral relations through cooperation in the economy, science and technology as well as research and development. They also exchanged ideas about how to work together in the international arena.

President Moon began by welcoming President Kiska on his visit to Korea in a symbolic year marking the 25th anniversary of the independence of Slovakia and of diplomatic ties between the two countries. He noted that President Kiska’s political philosophy of enhancing people’s rights and interests as well as welfare and embracing the marginalized was on the same page with his conviction of people first and a government of the people. President Moon went on to say the two nations have advanced cooperation in a short span of time on the foundation of the shared values of democracy and a market economy.

Notably, President Moon gave high marks to the increase in bilateral trade—more than 160 times over the past 25 years. He said he looked forward to reciprocal improvement in the two countries’ trade structure by means of diversification of trade goods. He continued to say he was gratified that Korean businesses were making contributions in Slovakia that has the highest per capita car production in the world.

President Kiska congratulated President Moon on the successful hosting of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and said that Korean businesses investing in Slovakia were contributing greatly to its economic development. Korea is the largest investor in the country among non-EU member states and accounts for about 50 percent of their direct investment to the nation. It still ranks 5th when all EU countries are included.

Commenting on his recent visit to the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, President Moon said many UAE leaders and people had praised Korea`s excellent technology, safety and economic efficiency as well as Korean workers` sense of responsibility to complete the construction as planned despite adverse conditions in the desert. President Moon emphasized that Slovakia would never be disappointed if it chose Korea as a builder for a nuclear power plant.

President Moon also expressed his expectations that many Korean businesses would be able to play a role in and make contributions to the efficient implementation of various infrastructure projects in Slovakia such as the construction of a new airport in Bratislava.

Speaking of various problems Slovakia has to address, including the gap between the rich and poor, the high youth unemployment rate and regional disparities, President Kiska expressed his profound interest in Korea`s educational system, startup policy for young people and the Presidential Committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

President Moon replied that the Committee was placed directly under the President because the Government intended to lead the establishment of related infrastructure and spread it to the private sector. The President proposed that the two countries expand cooperation on future growth engines in a joint response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

President Moon expressed his gratitude to his Slovak counterpart for having consistently supported South Korea’s policy toward North Korea. The President also asked for continuous support from the country so that the denuclearization of and the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula would occur, through such occasions as the inter-Korean summit scheduled at the end of April. 

Attendees from the Slovak side included 2nd State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy Rastislav Chovanec, Slovak Ambassador to Korea Milan Lajciak, Head of the Office of the President Stefan Rozkopal, and Director of Foreign Policy Department Vit Koziak. Among those from the Korean side were Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Paik Ungyu, Second Deputy Director of National Security Nam Gwan-pyo, and Advisor to the President for Economic Affairs Kim Hyun-chul.

After the summit was over, the two leaders attended an official luncheon at Chungmusil, the annexed dining hall to the Main Office Building, for one hour beginning at 12:50 pm.