Source: Government of the Republic of Korea
Your Excellency President José Antonio Kast and the people of Chile,
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation.
I am pleased to be making this visit to Chile – the first by a President of the Republic of Korea to Chile in eleven years.
Although geographically distant, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Chile are long-standing friends with a special, cherished history, as well as neighbors across the Pacific.
In 1949, Chile became the first South American country to recognize the Republic of Korea. In 2004, Korea chose Chile as its first free trade agreement partner. Over the two decades since the FTA entered into force, bilateral trade has quadrupled, proving that this was the right strategic choice.
Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1962, our two countries have built on our complementary strengths and expanded cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, minerals, infrastructure, Antarctic research and culture. Also, as strategic partners with shared values such as democracy, we have worked closely together on the international stage.
At today’s summit, President Kast and I reaffirmed our shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and discussed concrete ways to advance our cooperation.
Allow me to outline the key outcomes of today’s summit.
First, in pursuit of shared growth, our two countries agreed to further expand cooperation in trade and investment.
To this end, Korea and Chile agreed to convene the Korea-Chile Free Trade Commission for the first time in ten years. The Commission will review major trade and investment agendas and discuss ways to further enhance bilateral trade ties, including mutually beneficial improvements to the Korea-Chile FTA.
Building on the MOU on collaboration between KOTRA and InvestChile, signed today, our two countries also agreed to actively assist companies from both sides in identifying investment opportunities and fostering their exchanges in strategic areas such as critical minerals and energy.
We also held in-depth discussions on ways to deepen cooperation under major economic frameworks, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Pacific Alliance (PA) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).
Second, our two countries agreed to actively pursue mutually beneficial, forward-looking cooperation in strategic fields such as critical minerals supply chains, infrastructure, public security and the defense industry.
Chile, a resource-rich nation, is the world’s largest producer of copper and possess the world’s largest lithium reserves, while Korea is a global leader in semiconductors, batteries and other advanced industries. Together, our two countries are natural and ideal partners when it comes to establishing critical minerals supply chains.
Building on the MOU on Mineral Resources Partnership, our two countries agreed to broaden cooperation across the entire minerals supply chain and to expand concrete forms of collaboration, including on information exchange, technological cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Over the past two decades, Korean companies have contributed significantly to infrastructure construction in Chile. Today, they are making steady progress on the Chacao Bridge—Chile’s flagship national project and South America’s first four lane suspension bridge. President Kast and I agreed that our respective governments will continue to closely support the project and actively work together to ensure it proceeds smoothly. In doing so, we hope the bridge becomes a landmark of our bilateral cooperation, enhancing the daily lives and economic prospects of the Chilean people
Both our countries share the firm conviction that the state’s primary duty is to protect and safeguard its people. To that end—and, specifically, to combat transnational crime and eradicate illegal maritime activities—we agreed to strengthen coordination between our respective police and coast guard authorities.
Furthermore, we concurred on the significance of establishing an institutional framework for deepening cooperation in the defense and shipbuilding sectors, and committed to continue relevant discussions.
Third, we agreed to further expand our cooperation in science and technology, along with people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Together, our two countries have explored Antarctica, a shared heritage of humanity. We have also collaborated on astronomical research by observing the cosmos from the Atacama Desert in northern Chile.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Chile for its active support of the Republic of Korea’s Antarctic station operations. I trust that Chile’s ongoing cooperation will enable our research personnel to carry out their mission s safely.
Our two countries share the view that it is important to further strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges—the bedrock of Korea-Chile relations— and we agreed to redouble our efforts in this regard.
I understand that Chileans’ strong interest in Hallyu (the Korean Wave) now extends beyond K-pop and K-dramas to include K-food and K-beauty, which are becoming trend for their high quality and competitiveness.
We will continue to provide full government support so that Chileans’ interest in our culture can lead to closer cultural affinities and be used as a basis for further expanding exchanges between our two countries.
Finally, our two countries agreed to cooperate closely for peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the international community.
During today’s summit, I asked for Chile’s unwavering support with resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.
President Kast expressed an intention to work together on safeguarding peace and stability in the region.
Moreover, our two countries agreed to cooperate closely on jointly hosting the 4th United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC4) in 2028 and ensuring the success of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled for 2032 in Chile.
Notably, the UNOC4 will be co-hosted by our two countries and is expected to serve as an important occasion for building international consensus among on maritime governance, including the conservation and sustainable use of the marine environment and resources.
Distinguished guests,
I hope that the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Chile, as true amigos, will join hands and together usher in a better future for both nations.
Once again, on behalf of the people of the Republic of Korea, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to President Kast for his warm hospitality.
I hope that President Kast and First Lady Adriasola will visit Korea in the near future, and that we will have the opportunity to extend the same warm hospitality to you in Korea.
Let us work together for the shared prosperity of the Republic of Korea and Chile and for our enduring friendship.
Thank you. Muchas Gracias!