(Unofficial translation)

Mingalaba (Hello)!

I am wholeheartedly grateful to State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Myanmar for warmly welcoming my delegation and me.

I am pleased to come to Myanmar, the country of one thousand Buddha statues and one thousand pagodas. The people’s smiles are gentle, and the gold-tinted streets are solemn in Myanmar. I could sense the dynamism of Myanmar that has been achieving outstanding economic growth amongst a blessing of splendid cultural heritage and beautiful nature.

Korea and Myanmar have much in common with regard to history, culture and sentiment. Our two countries suffered from colonial rule and struggled to achieve democracy. The sense of pride that stems from overcoming adversities and a culture that values cooperation help our two countries feel closer to one another.

The values that our two countries try to live up to are not that different, either. Both Myanmar’s Sustainable Development Plan and my Administration’s New Southern Policy uphold core values of people, peace and prosperity. 

The Myanmar peace process, which is aimed at achieving prosperity and reconciliation among different ethnic groups, and the Korean Peninsula peace process, which is intended to bring about peace and prosperity by moving beyond the history of division and confrontation between the two Koreas, will continue to move forward, inspiring each other and giving courage. 

Today, I hope that we will link the development visions of our two countries and discuss various mutually beneficial cooperation plans, thereby preparing a foundation for shared growth. I believe that Myanmar and Korea will be able to achieve not only mutual progress but also peace and prosperity in Asia.