(Unofficial Translation)

Your Excellency President Khurelsukh, Sain baina uu (Сайн байна уу).

How are you? Through videoconferencing, I can see you again – three years after our pleasant meeting in 2018 when you visited Korea as Prime Minister. I congratulate you once more on your election in June when you received the highest percentage of votes for President in Mongolia’s history.

Your Excellency is profoundly revered and trusted by the Mongolian people. I believe that your country, which is celebrating the Mongolian revolution’s 100th anniversary, will achieve greater progress and a leap forward under your prominent leadership with the “Vision 2050” policy at the center.

It is my great honor to be the counterpart in your first summit. It is all the more significant because we – as national leaders – are taking the first step toward another 30 years of Korea-Mongolia relations.

Korea is Mongolia’s fifth largest trading partner, and Mongolia is a key partner in our New Northern Policy. Our two countries have expanded cooperation so quickly that bilateral trade has increased 110-fold since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Our friendship has grown to the extent that each year sees 200,000 visitors traveling between our countries.

However, this is not yet enough. Our countries have greater potential in terms of cooperation to achieve much more than we have to date. We can accomplish common prosperity by working together in many new fields, including eco-friendly businesses, investment, retail distribution and the mining industry. 

Today, Mongolia and Korea have agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. We hold one another’s hands more firmly looking toward another 30 years. At today’s summit with Your Excellency, I look forward to exploring substantive cooperation in various fields. 

Thank you.