First Diplomatic Event After General Election
Discussion on Strategic Cooperation in Defense and Nuclear Power
Yoon "Expecting South Korea to Contribute to Romania's Military Modernization"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is shaking hands and taking a commemorative photo with Klaus Werner Iohannis, President of Romania, at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit meeting with Klaus Werner Iohannis, President of Romania, at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the morning of the 23rd, discussing strategic cooperation measures between the two countries in defense industry and nuclear power generation.
This visit marks President Iohannis's first visit to Korea since his inauguration in 2014 and the first bilateral visit by a Romanian president in 16 years. Last July, President Yoon visited Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, to attend the NATO summit, where he held a bilateral meeting with President Iohannis.
Both leaders evaluated that the Korea-Romania relationship has deepened in various fields on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of establishing the Korea-Romania strategic partnership last year, and adopted the "Joint Statement on Strengthening the Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Korea and Romania" to further develop bilateral cooperation in a more strategic and future-oriented manner.
They particularly praised the steady increase in trade between Korea and Romania, which reached a record high last year. Based on the "Agreement on Defense Cooperation" signed between the two governments during this summit, they agreed to solidly promote exchanges in education and training and technological cooperation in the defense sector, while building an optimal partnership in the defense industry sector. As part of this, they agreed to establish a working-level consultative body (at the director-general level) between the two countries' Ministries of Defense.
President Yoon strengthened the foundation for defense and defense industry cooperation and supported the expansion of exports of Korean weapon systems to Romania. President Yoon said, "Following the export of our Shingung missile at the end of last year, various defense industry cooperation products between the two countries are being discussed, and as a strategic partner, Korea hopes to actively contribute to Romania's military modernization projects." In response, President Iohannis said, "Due to the geopolitical security situation, defense industry cooperation between the two countries has become even more important," and added, "We are taking defense industry cooperation with Korea very seriously."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is holding an expanded Korea-Romania summit with President Klaus Werner Iohannis at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the nuclear power sector based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on nuclear power cooperation between the two countries. They shared the view that nuclear cooperation between the two countries is advancing with last year's contract for the 'Cernavod? Nuclear Power Plant Tritium Removal Facility Construction Project' and discussed various nuclear cooperation measures such as nuclear facility improvements and the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs).
They agreed to explore various cooperation measures in renewable energy and carbon-free energy sectors, including nuclear power, and the Romanian side expressed support for Korea's "Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) Initiative," according to the Presidential Office. In addition, they will strengthen cooperation between the two countries in port infrastructure, economic security, cyber security, culture and arts, human exchanges, and disaster safety.
Furthermore, they condemned North Korea's ongoing provocations and Russia-North Korea military cooperation, agreeing to closely cooperate with the international community to promote North Korea's denuclearization and human rights improvement. They shared the view that cooperation between Korea and Europe is becoming increasingly important amid the changing international situation and agreed to work together to strengthen Indo-Pacific and Korea-NATO cooperation. They also agreed to continue cooperating for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Ukraine. Following the summit, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of agreements between the Korean and Romanian governments and MOUs between relevant ministries.
President Iohannis is scheduled to visit Doosan Enerbility's Changwon plant on the 24th, where he can explore possibilities for strengthening cooperation in the nuclear power sector and for Korean companies to secure orders, according to the Presidential Office. This summit is President Yoon's first diplomatic event since the general election.
President Iohannis's official visit to Korea will last until the 25th and will be accompanied by his spouse. First Lady Kim Geon-hee accompanied President Yoon on his visit to the Netherlands on December 15 last year but had not appeared in public since returning; it is reported that she resumed activities on this day after 130 days.
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