Prime Minister Jeong Meets Outgoing US Ambassador... "Continued Affection for the ROK-US Alliance"

Harris "Great fortune to serve in Korea... Will continue role after departure"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun received a courtesy call from Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador, who is about to leave after completing his two and a half year term, on the 18th. (Photo by Office for Government Policy Coordination)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun met with Harry Harris, the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Korea, on the 18th and said, "I ask for your continued interest and affection for the development of the Korea-U.S. alliance as a friend of Korea in the future."

Prime Minister Chung made these remarks during a meeting with Ambassador Harris at the Government Seoul Office in the afternoon, as Harris concluded his two-and-a-half-year term and departed Korea following the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration in the United States.

Prime Minister Chung evaluated, "Through cooperation on advancing the Korean Peninsula peace process and responding to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus infection), the bilateral relationship has deepened and developed further."

He also emphasized, "Economic cooperation on trade and investment, as well as advanced technologies related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution for the post-COVID era, must continue."

Ambassador Harris said, "It was a great fortune to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Korea," and added, "Even after my departure, I will do whatever I can to contribute to the solid development of the Korea-U.S. alliance."

He recalled, "It was a special memory that Korea, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War last year, delivered masks and other quarantine supplies not only to the United States but also to the United Nations and Korean War veterans," and expressed hope that "this friendship between the two countries will expand further into various fields such as politics, economy, and health."