President Lee holds phone talks with Malaysian Prime Minister... "Let's achieve substantive cooperation including FTA conclusion"

President Lee Jae Myung held his first phone conversation with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the 23rd.

Kang Yoo Jung, spokesperson for the presidential office, announced during a briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan on this day that "President Lee had a phone call with Prime Minister Anwar this morning."

President Lee Jae Myung making a phone call with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the 12th at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Spokesperson Kang explained, "President Lee and Prime Minister Anwar expressed their expectation to closely cooperate for the development of the strategic partnership between the two countries," and added, "President Lee congratulated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries this year, and stated that, based on the trust and friendship built over more than half a century, he would work together with the Prime Minister to further strengthen the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two nations."

Kang also reported that the two leaders discussed achieving substantive cooperation in a variety of fields, including the conclusion of the Korea-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) this year, as well as trade, investment, infrastructure, digital transformation, green growth, and the defense industry.

Kang mentioned, "Both leaders expressed their intention for Malaysia, as this year's ASEAN chair, and Korea, as this year's APEC chair, to contribute together to strengthening international cooperation not only for the development of Korea-ASEAN relations, but also in responding to regional and global challenges."