President Moon: "Hope the Arctic Route and East Asia Railway Community Create a New Vision"

3rd Northern Forum Video Congratulatory Address... "Korea is Part of Eurasia, Will Collaborate with Northern Countries"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in said in a video congratulatory message at the opening ceremony of the '3rd Northern Forum' held at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 18th, "I hope a new vision will be prepared to jointly open a sustainable future such as the Arctic route, East Asian railway community, and Northeast Asia quarantine and health cooperation system."

The Northern Forum, held for the third time this year, is a multilateral cooperation platform to discuss economic cooperation with new northern countries. Under the theme of '30 Years of Northern Cooperation, Towards a Future of Peace and Prosperity,' this event discusses global issues in the post-COVID era and sustainable economic and financial cooperation measures.

In particular, the New Northern Policy is one of the national tasks that President Moon pays close attention to. President Moon explained, "Our government started the 'New Northern Policy' with its inauguration in 2017," adding, "We launched the Northern Forum with a sense of solidarity as a member of Northern Eurasia."

President Moon Jae-in delivering a video congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the 3rd Northern Forum.
[Photo by Cheong Wa Dae]

The government has carried out customized cooperation projects with 14 new northern target countries including Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia. President Moon said, "Korean-style smart farms have been introduced in Kazakhstan, advanced agricultural technology cooperation with Uzbekistan, and cooperation in livestock disease fields with Mongolia."

President Moon added, "The '9 Bridges Action Plan 2.0' adopted with Russia is showing results in joint construction of LNG ships and modernization projects of shipyards." Through his congratulatory message on this day, President Moon pledged unwavering support for the New Northern Policy.

President Moon said, "This year, Korea will more than double its official development assistance (ODA) for health and medical care to northern countries compared to last year, and will fully support Green New Deal ODA that helps northern countries respond to the climate crisis and transition to a low-carbon economy."

President Moon pledged, "We will activate investment in the northern region by expanding financial platforms and strengthen cooperation platforms in various fields such as healthcare, digital, environment, and smart systems. In particular, like the 'Korea-Russia Innovation Center,' we will combine the excellent original technologies of northern countries with Korea's applied technologies to jointly open the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution."

President Moon emphasized, "The culture of northern countries contains a deep understanding of humanity. This year happens to be the 200th anniversary of the birth of the great literary figure Dostoevsky," giving significance to the occasion.

President Moon said, "I hope we will also work together to enrich the treasure trove of humanity through strengthening cultural capabilities and cooperation in cultural heritage preservation. As a member of Eurasia, Korea will always be with northern countries on the path of peace and prosperity."