President Lee Jae Myung (right) and visiting Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith on Dec. 15 shake hands at the presidential office in Seoul.

By Yoon Sojung

Photos = President Lee's official Facebook page

Bilateral ties with Laos have been upgraded to a comprehensive partnership that will expand cooperation in sectors like infrastructure and core minerals.

President Lee Jae Myung on Dec. 15 hosted a summit at his office in Seoul with Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith, whose official visit marked the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic ties, President Lee's spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said.

Both leaders agreed on the partnership designation and to expand cooperation wider to include future-centric sectors such as infrastructure, core minerals and responses to climate change.

President Lee said he hoped for Korean participation in the development of Luang Prabang International Airport in Laos and joint projects that benefit the two sides in areas like the setup of supply chains for core minerals such as rare earth elements, water resource management and climate change responses, utilizing Laos' abundant natural resources and Korea's high-tech prowess.

Both leaders pledged close cooperation in regional and international issues including those of the Korean Peninsula and ties between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. President Thongloun also praised Seoul's efforts for peace and stability of the peninsula and pledged his government's continued constructive efforts in that regard.

After their talks, Seoul and Vientiane signed treaties on mutual assistance in criminal affairs and extradition. President Lee said he expected both agreements to help build a proactive cooperative system for fighting transnational crimes.

President Lee Jae Myung (right) and visiting Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith (left) on Dec. 15 hold their bilateral summit at the Office of the President in Seoul.