President Lee Hosts Luncheon with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong
Lee: "I hope our two countries will play the role of stars in the international community"
Prime Minister Wong: "The two stars of Asia are Singapore and Korea"
President Lee Jae-myung and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong are toasting at the official luncheon held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 2nd, President Lee Jae-myung praised Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, saying, "Singapore is a star that shines brightly in the dark night." Prime Minister Wong responded, "The two rising stars of Asia are Singapore and Korea."
President Lee and the First Lady hosted a luncheon with Prime Minister Wong and his spouse at the Yongsan Presidential Office that day. President Lee referenced a previous speech by Prime Minister Wong in which he said he would ensure that the "red dot of Singapore continues to shine," adding, "I would like to call Singapore a star that shines brightly in the dark night."
President Lee expressed his agreement, saying, "Singapore has proven itself to be a small but exceptionally bright star by achieving remarkable growth despite limited resources and an unfavorable geopolitical environment. I believe Korea has followed a similar path."
He continued, "A star that shines brightly in the dark night serves as a guide that helps us move forward without losing our way. The international order supported by our two countries is facing significant challenges, and the advancement of cutting-edge technologies is increasing unpredictability in all aspects of human life-this is the reality we face today."
He added, "I hope that our two countries, both innovative middle powers with shared values, will play the role of stars in the dark night sky of the international community."
Singapore Prime Minister: "The two stars of Asia are Singapore and Korea"
President Lee Jae-myung and the First Lady, along with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his spouse, are conversing with attendees at the official luncheon held on the 2nd at the Yongsan Presidential Office. Photo by Yonhap News
In his subsequent toast, Prime Minister Wong responded, "In these difficult and dark times, in this era overflowing with uncertainty, I believe the two rising stars of Asia are Singapore and Korea."
Prime Minister Wong emphasized that the two countries have expanded cooperation and exchanges in various fields. He said, "Singaporeans have a great interest in K-culture," and added, "Many Singaporeans seek out and enjoy Korean food not only at excellent Michelin-starred restaurants but also in their everyday lives."
He continued, "Many Singaporean companies are already engaging in investment and exchanges with Korea, and Korean companies are using Singapore as a bridgehead in Asia to enter the global market. Samsung and LG have already become a part of the daily lives of Singaporeans."
He also introduced, "Ssangyong Engineering & Construction built Marina Bay Sands, which boasts the stunning skyline that everyone associates with Singapore."
Regarding the summit held that day, Prime Minister Wong said, "We have identified many areas for development and cooperation in the region. I believe we will also work together to address global issues such as climate change. As we share various strategies in this era of uncertainty, we must continue to cooperate both regionally and globally for our mutual benefit."
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