PM Wong congratulates South Korea's newly elected President Lee in phone call
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed gladness on the cooperation achieved by Singapore and South Korea in various fields. PHOTO: REUTERS
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke to South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung on June 30 to congratulate him on his recent election win, in their first call since Mr Lee took office.
During the call, the two leaders agreed to establish a strategic partnership as Singapore and South Korea mark 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2025.
In a Facebook post on June 30, Mr Wong said the relationship between the two countries 'has grown steadily over the decades'.
'We are now upgrading our ties to a Strategic Partnership, to deepen cooperation in key areas of mutual interest,' he added.
'I look forward to continuing our conversation when Korea hosts the Apec meeting later this year.'
The Apec meeting will be held in the city of Gyeongju.
In a news release, the South Korean embassy in Singapore said PM Wong conveyed his warm congratulations on the call and 'expressed his expectations for the development of Korea-Singapore relations, as well as his commitment to cooperation during President Lee's term'.
Mr Lee, meanwhile, 'expressed his gladness' on the cooperation achieved by Singapore and South Korea in various fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1975.
This includes politics and security, economy, society and culture and regional and international issues.
The embassy also said that in addition to the establishment of a strategic partnership, Singapore and South Korea agreed to accelerate strategic cooperation in comprehensive areas, including peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, as well as future-oriented sectors such as artificial intelligence and digital technology.
It quoted Mr Lee as saying that he looks forward to PM Wong's attendance at the Apec summit.
PM Wong also expressed his confidence that Korea would successfully host the Apec summit, and suggested that both countries maintain active high-level exchanges on various occasions, the embassy added.
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