Source: Government of the Republic of Korea
Your Excellency President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, distinguished guests,
My visit to Mongolia marks the first state visit by a President of the Republic of Korea in fifteen years.
Mongolia is a key partner in Korea’s pragmatic, national interest-focused diplomacy, and Korea is Mongolia’s most trusted partner for strategic cooperation. I hope that this message is clearly conveyed to the peoples of both our countries.
The most significant achievement of this summit is that we two leaders reaffirmed a shared vision of ushering in the “Golden Age of Korea–Mongolia Relations” and adopted a joint declaration setting out the future direction of bilateral relations.
Building on more than three decades of friendship and trust, this joint declaration will serve as an important milestone as we work together to forge the true “Golden Age of Korea–Mongolia Relations.”
I look forward to Korea and Mongolia advancing our partnership through this joint declaration in ways that enhance the livelihoods of our peoples and contribute to regional peace and prosperity.
Allow me to outline the key outcomes of today’s summit.
First, our two countries agreed to further solidify political and diplomatic trust, while deepening our strategic partnership.
The two of us agreed to expand high-level exchanges and strategic communication, and to maintain close consultations while strengthening our cooperation on regional and international affairs.
Second, we agreed to expand future-oriented, practical cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to the peoples of Korea and Mongolia.
The two sides will expand cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, and investment and strengthen cooperation on supply chains, including critical minerals. Taking the agreement in principle on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a milestone, the two sides will work together toward achieving USD 1 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
We also agreed to broaden cooperation across a wide range of sectors in a mutually beneficial and sustainable manner, including artificial intelligence and digital transformation, cutting-edge science and technology, logistics and infrastructure, agriculture and livestock farming, healthcare and medical services, and development cooperation.
Recognizing that healthcare cooperation delivers some of the most direct benefits to our peoples, we agreed to work together to improve the health and quality of life of the Mongolian people through initiatives such as the construction of Mongolia’s National Cancer Center-II.
Third, we agreed to further expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges –the bedrock of the friendship between our two peoples.
The two of us also agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges in such areas as tourism, education, employment, and culture. In line with the Roadmap for Cooperation to Promote People-to-People Exchanges, we will work together to enhance benefits and convenience for the citizens of both nations, while also deepening mutual understanding.
Moreover, we agreed to further strengthen consular cooperation, which serves as an important foundation for the development of bilateral relations, and to foster conditions that enable the peoples of our two countries to interact more freely and actively.
Fourth, we agreed to strengthen cooperation in passing on the historical ties and shared experiences between our two countries to future generations.
We will further consolidate the friendship and trust between our two peoples by jointly honoring and carrying on our shared legacy of friendship, including that of patriotic martyr Lee Tae-jun, who devoted his life to advancing modern medicine in Mongolia.
I believe that enabling future generations to inherit and further develop our precious historical ties is essential to the sustainable development of Korea–Mongolia relations.
Fifth, we agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation on the international stage.
President Khurelsukh and I agreed to expand our bilateral cooperation to promote stability and development in Northeast Asia.
We concurred on the need to maintain and further strengthen the tradition of cooperation and mutual support that our two countries have cultivated on the international stage. We also agreed to work closely together on global issues, including climate change and sustainable development.
In addition, we plan to strengthen cooperation within international organizations and multilateral fora, and to coordinate closely on matters related to elections in international organizations, including the International Court of Justice.
Finally, I shared with President Khurelsukh our vision for peace and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula. President Khurelsukh expressed strong agreement with my view on the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.
I would like to once again thank President Khurelsukh for reaffirming his steadfast support for our government’s efforts to establish lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
In two days, I will attend Naadam – Mongolia’s largest national festival – as the guest of honor. I hope this serves as an opportunity for the people of Korea and Mongolia to unite as one, ushering in the “Golden Age of Korea–Mongolia Relations.”
Bayarlalaa. (Thank you.)