Source: Government of the Republic of Korea
Honorable Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the people of Singapore,
On behalf of the people of the Republic of Korea, I would like to express my deep gratitude for your warm welcome.
I find it particularly meaningful that we are holding a summit here in Singapore just four months after our meeting in Seoul last November.
Over the past century, Korea and Singapore have demonstrated remarkable potential to rise as exemplary middle powers, turning limited natural resources and geopolitical challenges into platforms for advancement during the process of nation-building and modernization.
Prime Minister Wong and I shared the view that, as we navigate yet another challenge – the era of hyper-uncertainty in the 21st century – our two countries can become reliable partners.
Accordingly, we agreed to further deepen our bilateral cooperation, which was elevated to the level of a Strategic Partnership last year to mark the 50th anniversary of our establishment of diplomatic relations.
We concurred on the need to bolster the economic ties that have led the development of our bilateral relations, while accelerating innovation in future-oriented, cutting-edge industries such as artificial intelligence and further reinforcing the foundations of our cooperation in defense and security. To this end, our two governments adopted a joint statement and five Memoranda of Understanding.
Going forward, we will continue to closely communicate with each other and proceed with swiftly implementing relevant initiatives.
Allow me to elaborate on the key outcomes of today’s summit.
First, as leading countries in the regional free trade order, we agreed to further strengthen economic solidarity, cooperation in economic security and cooperation in strategic investments.
To this end, our two countries agreed to launch negotiations on the upgrade of the Korea–Singapore Free Trade Agreement, and moments ago adopted a Joint Statement.
We two leaders agreed to upgrade the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, which took effect twenty years ago, in a manner that fully reflects evolving trade and economic security dynamics, as well as technological advances.
We also agreed to advance our close cooperation on investment in a more strategic manner.
An MOU on Investment Partnership, adopted between the Korea Development Bank and Seviora – a Temasek-owned Asset Management Group – will spearhead this investment cooperation.
I believe that as investment in Korea’s promising small and medium-sized enterprises and emerging industries increases, it will further bolster our two nations’ shared growth.
We also agreed to conclude an MOU on Cooperation in the field of smart farming at the earliest opportunity. We will expand our cooperation in advancing sustainable agriculture based on cutting-edge technology, as well as in strengthening food security.
Second, we agreed to expand our broad-based cooperation in the fields of cutting-edge technology and energy security.
To further deepen our cooperation in AI, we agreed to work toward concluding an AI Cooperation Framework.
Through physical AI‑driven industrial innovation and joint research and expanded investment in real‑world applications of AI, our two countries will secure the momentum needed to advance our AI cooperation.
It is expected that the synergy between the artificial intelligence capabilities and innovative industrial ecosystems of the Republic of Korea and Singapore will further accelerate advances in AI across the region.
In addition, an MOU on Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and Enabling Digital Technologies for Public Safety and an MOU on Enhanced Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property, both adopted today, will further strengthen bilateral cooperation on enhancing the capacity to apply AI in policing and public administration services.
This will serve as an important stepping stone toward translating the “AI for All” vision – which is shared and embraced by our two countries – into concrete outcomes.
We also adopted an MOU on Science and Technology Cooperation to strengthen our partnership in quantum computing, space engineering and satellite technologies; an MOU on Space and Geospatial Information for Environmental and Pollution issues to share and verify environmental satellite data for air quality research; and an MOU on Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation to jointly develop small modular reactor project models and share related information.
Building on today’s achievements, I look forward to further solidifying our current cooperation in trade, investment and infrastructure and expanding the scope of our bilateral cooperation to include such promising future-oriented fields as AI, nuclear energy and cutting-edge science and technology.
Third, we agreed to expand our cooperation in the security sector further and continue working together to promote peace and stability in the region.
Our two countries agreed to expand ongoing joint research on defense technologies and to continue discussing ways to strengthen national defense capabilities based on advanced technologies.
We will also further strengthen our cooperation in combating transnational crimes such as online scams and cyberthreats.
The Republic of Korea will actively support Singapore in its role as ASEAN Chair next year.
Furthermore, we will work with Singapore on crystallizing and implementing our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) vision in earnest. Announced at last year’s ASEAN–Republic of Korea Summit, this vision comprises “Contributor for Dreams and Hopes,” “Springboard for Growth and Innovation” and “Partner for Peace and Stability.”
Singapore played the important role of serving as the historic location of the 2018 North Korea–United States Summit.
I would like to once again express my deepest gratitude to the Prime Minister for actively supporting our government’s efforts to achieve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and resume inter-Korean dialogue.
Eight years ago, Singapore demonstrated outstanding diplomatic prowess as a peacemaker through its leadership in promoting dialogue and communication.
I believe that Singapore will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.
We also discussed the current state of affairs in the Middle East.
We assessed the impact of the situation in the Middle East on the global security and global economy, including energy supply chains. We also shared the hope that stability and peace will be restored in the Middle East.
I am confident that this visit will serve as an opportunity to further deepen friendship and trust between our two countries, and further advance our Strategic Partnership.
Once again, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the government and people of Singapore for extending a warm welcome to me and my delegation.