(Unofficial Translation)

Prime Minister Morrison, I am glad to see you. We meet again in a significant year, one that marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. With the recent election of Mathias Cormann as the new OECD Secretary-General, Australia has helped further enhance the Asia-Pacific region’s status in the international community. Moreover, Australia has set an example in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis under your leadership.

I am all the more pleased that the Republic of Korea has been invited to the G7 Summit along with Australia, our eternal friend. Our two countries will work together for the success of the G7 Summit convened to create an inclusive international order. Cooperation between friendly nations upholding shared values has become more important at a time when the international order is undergoing rapid changes due to COVID-19, the climate crisis and the transition to a low-carbon and digital economy. I hope that our countries will jointly contribute to stabilizing the global supply chain and strengthen our low-carbon technology- and hydrogen-related cooperation.

I hope that today’s summit with the Australian Prime Minister will further develop our two countries’ friendly, cooperative relations and allow us to join forces in national infrastructure, national defense and the defense industry, thereby making joint contributions to peace in the region.