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Korea-China Summit (January 2012): President Lee Myung-bak met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on January 10 in Beijing, to hold a bilateral summit and discuss mutual concerns, including bilateral ties and the current state of the region alongside tripartite cooperation with Japan. The two leaders agreed to reinforce cooperative measures for increased trade and acknowledged the common goals of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. They also gave high marks to the institutionalization of the trilateral cooperation, referring to the establishment of a cooperative office in Seoul. Marking the Year of Korea-China Friendship this year, they shared the recognition that the enhancement of civic exchanges would expand the scope of collaboration.; Current Affairs President Lee's state visit to China

Korea-China Summit (January 2012): President Lee Myung-bak held a bilateral talk on January 9 with President Hu Jintao of China in Beijing and exchanged opinions on various issues of mutual interest, including cultural and human resource exchanges and trade, alongside the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. Both leaders gave a positive evaluation of the steady progress in bilateral ties and agreed to extend the scope of cooperative measures. This year, Korea and China will mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations and the Year of Korea-China Friendship. The two heads of state also concurred on taking further steps toward the Korea-China free trade agreement.; Current Affairs President Lee's state visit to China

Korea-Japan Summit (December 2011): President Lee Myung-bak held a summit on December 18 with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on the occasion of his visit to Kyoto, Japan, part of the “shuttle diplomacy” between the two heads of state. President Lee and Prime Minister Noda exchanged opinions on topics including bilateral relations, North Korea issues, and compensation for comfort women. President Lee urged Japan to show genuine courage by giving priority to resolving the longstanding issue. Prime Minister Noda responded with Japan’s legal stance and existing position, expressing his wish to approach the issue with a humanitarian perspective.

Korea-Rwanda Summit (November 2011): President Lee Myung-bak held a summit on November 30 with President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda in Busan, on the occasion of the fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness. During the summit, President Lee and President Kagame discussed ways to further consolidate opportunities for cooperation in the economy, trade, and infrastructure, along with development assistance. The Korean leader also expressed hope to contribute to Rwanda’s socio-economic development by helping nurture Rwandan manpower in various fields.

Korea-Ethiopia Summit (November 2011): President Lee Myung-bak held a summit with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia at Cheong Wa Dae on November 28. During the summit, President Lee and Prime Minister Meles discussed ways to further expand the scope of bilateral cooperation in a variety of fields including development, infrastructure, the economy, and trade alongside educational and cultural exchanges. On the occasion of Ethiopian leader’s official visit to Korea, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on industrial cooperation in the textile and leather industries.

Korea-Philippines Summit (November 2011): President Lee Myung-bak held a bilateral talk with President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippines on November 21 in Manila, on the occasion of his state visit. President Lee and President Aquino agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in the economic, energy and agricultural sectors. The two leaders pledged to reinforce cooperative measures to maximize Korea’s official development assistance through Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), in line with the Philippines Development Plan 2011-2016.; Current Affairs President Lee visits Indonesia, Philippines

Korea-Australia Summit (November 2011): President Lee Myung-bak held a talk with Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia on November 19 in Bali, Indonesia to discuss strengthening of the cooperative relationship between the two countries. The two leaders agree to deepen economic, political, and security cooperation, and restated their commitment to concluding their free-trade deal by end of the year. President Lee and Prime Minister Gillard have pledged to continue their cooperation as responsible middle powers to promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.; Current Affairs President Lee visits Indonesia, Philippines

Trilateral Summit Meeting (November 2011): President Lee Myung-bak held a trilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on November 19, in Bali, Indonesia. The three leaders agreed that their trilateral cooperation has been productive and smooth this year, referring to the establishment of a cooperative office in Seoul on September 1. The three leaders stressed that reinforced cooperation will play an important role in contributing to the development and stability of Northeast Asia as well as the recovery of the global economy. They reaffirmed their commitment to jointly solve the North Korean nuclear issue alongside other regional affairs.; Current Affairs President Lee visits Indonesia, Philippines

East Asia Summit (November 2011): President Lee Myung-bak participated in the East Asia Summit (EAS) on November 19, in Bali, Indonesia. The Korean leader conversed and exchanged opinions with the heads of the EAS member states on a wide range of international issues covering disaster management, nuclear non-proliferation, ocean management, and recovery from the economic crisis. President Lee Myung-bak introduced Korea’s Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, expressing concerns over frequent natural disasters in the East Asian region. The participating leaders adopted the EAS Reciprocal Agreement and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity at the summit.; Current Affairs President Lee visits Indonesia, Philippines

ASEAN Plus Three Summit (November 2011): President Lee Myung-bak attended the 14th ASEAN Plus Three Summit in Bali, Indonesia on November 18. Korea, China, Japan, and the ASEAN nations discussed present and future initiatives for enhancing regional cooperation on issues such as food security, economic integration, and the global financial crisis. President Lee stressed the importance of maintaining a sufficient disaster response system, and pledged Korea’s contribution through technology-sharing. He also called for continued creative attention and energy toward the formation of an East Asian community partnership.; Current Affairs President Lee visits Indonesia, Philippines

Summit Diplomacy