Korea and Bolivia have made steps toward improving bilateral cooperation. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his Bolivian counterpart David Choquehuanca in Seoul on January 12 and talked about enhancing bilateral cooperation on political affairs, the economy, infrastructure and development. This is the first time for a Bolivian foreign minister to visit Korea in 19 years, since the last visit in 1996.
Yun highly appreciated Bolivia’s stable economic growth under President Evo Morales' leadership since his inauguration in 2006 and also offered his congratulations on the third term of President Morales that will begin on January 22. In particular, the two ministers agreed that President Morales' state visit to Korea in August 2010 contributed greatly to strengthening bilateral relations.
The two called the year 2015 a meaningful one, marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, and hoped that Choquehuanca’s visit will constitute a new beginning for better bilateral relations over the next 50 years.
Choquehuanca said that both countries have overcome difficulties in their history and have succeeded in achieving development today. He also highly valued the Saemaul Undong, the New Community Movement of the 1970s, that served as the basis for rural development and for the modernization of Korea. For his part, Yun highly appreciated the results of Living Well, a movement that began with the launch of the Morales administration, to pursue innovation in education, democracy and culture, respecting the diversity of ethnic identities and the cultures of Bolivia. He also appreciated Bolivia's efforts to achieve innovation in science, technology and industry.
Choquehuanca asked for Korea's cooperation on Bolivia's large state-led strategic projects, including the development of online government services, the building of an international airport and the founding of a "science city" so that these projects can be carried out successfully. Yun responded that Korea intends to work closely with Bolivia by sharing its technology and experience, proposing that the two countries also cooperate in such fields as the petrochemical industry, improving energy efficiency and metrology standardization.
Yun said Bolivia has been one of Korea's main partners for development cooperation since 2010 and that the two nations have cooperated on healthcare, agriculture and transportation. He added that Korea will increase its assistance to Bolivia if necessary. Choquehuanca showed deep appreciation to Korea, saying that Korea's cooperation contributed to building infrastructure in Bolivia and easing social inequality there. He also hoped that Korea would share its experiences in economic development, including the New Community Movement.
The two agreed to expand the exchange and training of human resources and technical cooperation so that Korea's experience in economic growth and national development can help Bolivia in its efforts for innovation. They also hoped that they could further cooperate on helping Bolivia achieve industrialization and food security and build infrastructure projects.
Yun spoke about the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and across Northeast Asia and asked for Bolivia's support and cooperation for Korea's "trustpolitik." In response, Choquehuanca expressed his support for the Korean government’s position aimed at peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, as well as his willingness to cooperate in that regard.
By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
jun2@korea.kr
Yun highly appreciated Bolivia’s stable economic growth under President Evo Morales' leadership since his inauguration in 2006 and also offered his congratulations on the third term of President Morales that will begin on January 22. In particular, the two ministers agreed that President Morales' state visit to Korea in August 2010 contributed greatly to strengthening bilateral relations.
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se (right) shakes hands with his Bolivian counterpart David Choquehuanca before the meeting in Seoul on January 12.
The two called the year 2015 a meaningful one, marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, and hoped that Choquehuanca’s visit will constitute a new beginning for better bilateral relations over the next 50 years.
Choquehuanca said that both countries have overcome difficulties in their history and have succeeded in achieving development today. He also highly valued the Saemaul Undong, the New Community Movement of the 1970s, that served as the basis for rural development and for the modernization of Korea. For his part, Yun highly appreciated the results of Living Well, a movement that began with the launch of the Morales administration, to pursue innovation in education, democracy and culture, respecting the diversity of ethnic identities and the cultures of Bolivia. He also appreciated Bolivia's efforts to achieve innovation in science, technology and industry.
Choquehuanca asked for Korea's cooperation on Bolivia's large state-led strategic projects, including the development of online government services, the building of an international airport and the founding of a "science city" so that these projects can be carried out successfully. Yun responded that Korea intends to work closely with Bolivia by sharing its technology and experience, proposing that the two countries also cooperate in such fields as the petrochemical industry, improving energy efficiency and metrology standardization.
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his Bolivian counterpart David Choquehuanca discuss expanding cooperation on technology and the exchange of human resources and training.
Yun said Bolivia has been one of Korea's main partners for development cooperation since 2010 and that the two nations have cooperated on healthcare, agriculture and transportation. He added that Korea will increase its assistance to Bolivia if necessary. Choquehuanca showed deep appreciation to Korea, saying that Korea's cooperation contributed to building infrastructure in Bolivia and easing social inequality there. He also hoped that Korea would share its experiences in economic development, including the New Community Movement.
The two agreed to expand the exchange and training of human resources and technical cooperation so that Korea's experience in economic growth and national development can help Bolivia in its efforts for innovation. They also hoped that they could further cooperate on helping Bolivia achieve industrialization and food security and build infrastructure projects.
Yun spoke about the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and across Northeast Asia and asked for Bolivia's support and cooperation for Korea's "trustpolitik." In response, Choquehuanca expressed his support for the Korean government’s position aimed at peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, as well as his willingness to cooperate in that regard.
By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
jun2@korea.kr
