(Unofficial Translation)

I extend my gratitude to the Honorable Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the people of the Kingdom of Thailand, the “Land of Smiles,” for your warm hospitality.  

First of all, I congratulate you on the successful launch of the new Thai Administration. It is all the more significant because you have chosen to welcome me as the first head of state to visit your country since your inauguration. 

On the sidelines of last year’s ASEM Summit, the Prime Minister and I held a summit to commemorate the 60th anniversary of our two countries’ diplomatic ties and reaffirmed the history of our longstanding friendly cooperation. 

In this year, marking the start of another six decades of friendship, I am very pleased to visit Thailand and discuss our two countries’ future development plans. 

Koreans are grateful to Thailand because it was the second nation to send troops during the Korean War, following the United States, and the first from Asia to do so.

The Korean people will never forget the dedication and sacrifice of Thailand, a country that joined forces to safeguard peace and liberty in Korea.

In particular, the Korean people have a special bond to Prime Minister Prayut since he commanded the 21st Royal Thai Regiment, the very unit dispatched to Korea during the Korean War. 

Prime Minister Prayut mentioned a while ago that he had enjoyed watching the Korean drama “Descendants of the Sun.” I'm a former member of the ROK Special Forces featured in that drama.

Thailand is the most important cooperation partner for the New Southern Policy that my Administration is vigorously pursuing.

I’d like to express my profound appreciation to Thailand, the chair country of ASEAN, which is actively supporting progress in Korea-ASEAN relations and providing assistance in many ways to ensure the success of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit to be held in Korea this year.

I believe that if the Thailand 4.0 policy the Prime Minister actively pursues in response to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Korea’s New Southern Policy are connected, our two countries will be able to achieve future growth while proceed together. 

I hope that this summit will serve as an opportunity to jointly create the future of innovation and inclusiveness between our two countries and between ASEAN and Korea. I am also looking forward to seeing the Prime Minister again at the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in my hometown Busan. 

Thank you.