Prime Minister Wong: "We See Ourselves as Global Partners"
Cooperation in Green, Digital, Defense, and Security Sectors
Strategic Partnership Established at This Summit
"Curious Why It Wasn't Formed Much Earlier"
On November 2, President Lee Jaemyung held a summit meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, where he proposed that the two countries, each leading advanced industries and innovation in Northeast and Southeast Asia respectively, should build a "brilliant and shining strategic partnership."
During the summit held at the presidential office in Yongsan that day, President Lee said, "Our two countries have much in common. Despite having small territories, limited resources, and challenging geopolitical environments, we have achieved remarkable growth based on human capital and an open, free trade order."
President Lee continued, "The international environment is fundamentally changing these days. Establishing a strategic partnership at such a crucial time will greatly contribute to the development of both countries." He added, "I have wondered why Korea and Singapore did not establish a strategic partnership much earlier."
He went on to express his hope that the two countries would focus their strategic partnership on security cooperation in response to changes in the strategic environment, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges to address threats to the free trade order, and cooperation in advanced artificial intelligence technologies to respond to changes in the industrial environment.
Prime Minister Wong also agreed, noting that Singapore and Korea have many similarities, and expressed his own curiosity by saying, "I also wonder why the upgrade to a strategic partnership has only happened now," echoing President Lee's earlier remarks.
Prime Minister Wong emphasized that elevating the relationship to a strategic partnership opens up numerous opportunities for cooperation in green industries, digital industries, new growth engines, defense, and security. He stated, "Because Singapore and Korea have similar national strategies, philosophies, and outlooks for the future, I believe we can move forward together as regional and global partners in a challenging global market."
Previously, Prime Minister Wong attended the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, arrived in Korea on October 29, and after participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju until November 1, he traveled to Seoul.
On this day, President Lee officially welcomed Prime Minister Wong and his spouse at the presidential office, greeting them by saying, "I see you every day." During the summit, Prime Minister Wong remarked, "This is my fifth day in Korea; I think this is the longest I have stayed here. The most important thing is that I have met with you, Mr. President, almost every day. That is why I feel a great sense of closeness."
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