(Unofficial Translation)

Sawadee krap (Hello)!

Congratulations on this “Brand K launching show with K-pop.” I’m grateful to everyone for being with us today, including the business leaders from both Thailand and Korea.

Of special note, we are joined by our beloved K-pop stars – Weki Meki, VERIVERY, Sandeul and Ailee – and world-renowned football star Park Ji-sung.

Can you please wave to your fans?

Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, seems to be the main driving force bringing the people of Thailand and Korea closer together.

The Korean Wave that originated from K-pop and K-dramas has expanded into K-beauty and K-food, connecting with Thai culture. I believe that the inclusiveness of Thailand, a cultural and tourism powerhouse, has enabled Hallyu to flourish in this country.

I offer my gratitude once again to the people of Thailand who love Korean culture.

Today, the Korean SME’s representative trademark “Brand K” is being launched in Thailand, the center of the Korean Wave.

Some 40 K-beauty products and household goods manufactured by SMEs in Korea will make their debut here in Bangkok as the first products nationally certified as Brand K. Korea's top TV shopping channel host Lee Min-woong and famous announcer Park Ji-yoon will give Brand K a proper introduction. I hope that all of you will have a look around the Brand K products on display here and give them a try.

In spite of their superior quality, products manufactured by Korean SMEs have had difficulties finding their way into global markets due to a lack of brand power.

Now, it has become possible to globally promote their innovation through branding. We will apply a strict standard when selecting goods worthy of the Brand K mark so that consumers in both countries will be able to purchase them with trust.

Thai and Korean businesses will sign an MOU on cooperation today to expand markets for SME products with the Brand K mark. With distributors in Thailand and Korea jointly utilizing Hallyu, consumers in both countries will find more outstanding products from Korean SMEs in reach.

Today’s launch provides a venue to reaffirm the unlimited possibility of economic cooperation between our two countries.

The OECD predicts that Southeast Asia will account for 59 percent of the world’s middle-class consumption by around 2030. ASEAN is already Korea’s second biggest trading partner, and the key nation is none other than Thailand.

When Thailand, a hub of culture and tourism, meets Korea’s globally competitive Hallyu, it will create great synergy for both countries. I hope today’s event becomes the first step toward a Hallyu economic community that is mutually beneficial to our economies.

More than 60 years have passed since our two countries forged diplomatic ties.

Now, we will build upon our past cooperation and move toward a new era where culture and the economy are harmoniously intertwined. I look forward to today’s launch marking its beginning. I hope you enjoy yourselves.

Khop khun khrap! (Thank you)