(Unofficial Translation)

Prime Minister Prayut, welcome to Busan, my hometown. I’ve visited the Kingdom of Thailand twice this year. I will never forget your hospitality and the bright smiles of the Thai people. I vividly remember you saying you enjoyed watching the Korean drama “Descendants of the Sun” and humming the Korean folk song “Arirang.” I am very pleased to have an opportunity to reciprocate, however slightly, your hospitality.

I am deeply grateful to Thailand, the ASEAN Chair, for having provided immense assistance for the successful hosting of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit and the 1st Mekong-Republic of Korea Summit.

Thailand is an eternal friend to Korea. The country’s participation in the Korean War deeply impressed the Korean people. Friendship forged in blood will never fade, and over the coming six decades, relations between our two countries will only grow deeper.

Thailand is the second largest economy in ASEAN. Despite the global economic slowdown, its economy grew more than 4 percent last year. The country is hastening future new industries and national development through its Thailand 4.0 Policy and Eastern Economic Corridor Development Plan. I salute the leadership of Prime Minister Prayut, who is dynamically leading Thailand.

Thailand is one of the most important partners in the New Southern Policy being implemented by the Korean Government. I hope that bilateral cooperation will expand into various areas, including national defense, the defense industry, water management, science and technology, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.

Over the following three days, the Prime Minister and I will jointly lead discussions about ushering in the next 30 years of Korea-ASEAN relations and expanding the horizon of cooperation between Korea and the Mekong countries. Having the Prime Minister here with me makes me feel very reassured.  

Thank you.