President Park Geun-hye held a series of summits with Myanmar President U Thein Sein, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha on December 11, all of whom are in Korea to attend the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit in Busan on December 11 and 12.

In the summit with Myanmar President U Thein Sein at the BEXCO center in Busan, President Park said, "It is nice to meet again after having met at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)+3 Summit in Myanmar in November. Next year is a meaningful year marking the 40th anniversary of the Korea-Myanmar diplomatic relationship. I hope that our bilateral relations will be able to develop further."




In response, President Thein Sein said, "I am glad to have a bilateral summit on the sidelines of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit. The Myanmar government allowed Korea to build the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Yangon in honor of the members of the Korean delegation who were killed at a memorial to commemorate General Aung San," referring to the 1983 bombing.

President Park expressed gratitude for President Thein Sein's interest and cooperation in completing the Martyrs’ Mausoleum.

"For Korean companies wishing to expand their investment in Myanmar, there are problems that need to be solved, such as the lack of electricity, Korean financial institutions operating in Myanmar and securing land there," said President Park, asking for President Thein Sein's interest and cooperation.

In response, President Thein Sein said, "I will take an interest in and look into the issues of improving the investment environment in Myanmar and in supporting Korean financial institutions."

Regarding North Korea, Park said, "North Korea refuses to listen to consistent international demands that it give up its nuclear arms development program and abide by the resolutions made by the U.N. Security Council."

"I hope that the international community will deliver a clear and coherent message that North Korea should cease its aggression and comply with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," said the president.

President Thein Sein responded by saying that, "We will discuss peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across East Asia at the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit. We will continue to support the ASEAN consensus on North Korea-related issues."




Later in the day, President Park held a summit with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and expressed her gratitude that President Joko Widodo was able to attend the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit despite such a busy schedule, as it has been less than two months since he was inaugurated.

"On December 1, a Korean deep-sea fishing vessel sank in the Bering Sea in Russian waters, killing Indonesian sailors onboard. I would like to deliver sincere words of condolence to President Joko Widodo and to the bereaved families," said President Park.

"Indonesia is one of Korea's key trading partners and an important cooperative partner," said President Park. "Our two sides have deepened their bilateral strategic partnership with active cooperation on the defense industry and with the exchange of high-level officials. I hope that our bilateral relations will be further developed."

In response, President Joko Widodo said he is glad to attend the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit. "I hope that our bilateral relations will develop even further and I hope that the foreign ministers of our two nations quickly hold a joint meeting."




President Park also held a summit with Laotian Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong on December 11.

"When the Korea-ASEAN relationship was upgraded to a strategic partnership in 2010, Laos played a key role as mediator, making a strong contribution," said President Park.

"Next year will be a meaningful year, marking the 20th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations. I hope that the public of our two nations will be able to enhance their mutual understanding and friendship through the many commemorative events planned to mark the reestablishment of diplomatic relations."

Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong responded that, "It is a great honor and I am very glad to visit Korea. I would like to thank Korea for the warm welcome our delegation received. Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone sends a special hello to President Park."

Finally, President Park held a summit with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha.

"Our two nations have been traditional allies and strategic partners and have developed a friendly cooperative relationship over many areas," said President Park.

"Thailand dispatched both its army and its air force during the Korean War. During that war, Thai soldiers were known for their braveness and they were even nicknamed the 'Small Tigers'."

"In 2013, the Korean government selected Thailand, among all the nations that participated in the war, to be the first nation with which it would mark the armistice of the Korean War. Just in March, I heard that there was a community center in Thailand for Korean War veterans. I am glad that we are able to pay tribute to the noble spirit of those veterans."




In response, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha said, "I will make efforts so that our bilateral friendly relationship can continue and be strengthened. Our bilateral relationship has now been upgraded to a strategic partnership. I believe that this is the way to further improve our strong friendly relations."

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae, ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit
jun2@korea.kr