Korea-Mekong Cooperation Upgraded... President Moon Says "Let's Open the Post-Corona Era Together"

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the Korea-Mekong virtual summit held at the Blue House on the 13th. 2020.11.13 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in proposed elevating the cooperative relationship with the five Mekong River basin countries on the 13th, stating, "With the power of trust, solidarity, inclusion, and coexistence, we will overcome the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and look forward to opening the 'post-COVID' era together with the Mekong and Korea."

At the 2nd Korea-Mekong Summit held via video conference at 11:30 a.m. that day, President Moon said, "Korea will be a true friend to the Mekong."

The first Korea-Mekong Summit, held last year in Busan, was conducted via video conference this year due to the impact of COVID-19. Heads of state from the co-chair country Vietnam, as well as Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia, participated.

Co-chairing the summit with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President Moon welcomed the participating leaders, saying, "Next year marks the 10th anniversary of Korea-Mekong cooperation and the Year of Korea-Mekong Exchange. Since Korea-Mekong cooperation began in 2011, trade between Korea and the Mekong countries has increased 2.5 times, and mutual visits have increased 3.3 times as of last year. We are developing as partners who deeply trust each other."

In particular, President Moon emphasized health cooperation during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating, "Korea will further strengthen cooperation on quarantine supplies and healthcare capacity with the Mekong countries." He added, "Through the COVAX (COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access) Advance Market Commitment mechanism, Korea plans to contribute 10 million USD to support COVID-19 vaccines for developing countries," emphasizing, "We will cooperate with the Mekong countries to ensure universal and equitable access to vaccines." He further stated, "We will institutionally guarantee the movement of essential personnel and continue efforts to enhance regional infrastructure and connectivity."

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the Korea-Mekong virtual summit held at the Blue House on the 13th. 2020.11.13 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Despite the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, President Moon evaluated that Korea-Mekong trade reached last year's level and announced an increase in the 'Korea-Mekong Cooperation Fund' to continue promoting substantive and expanded cooperation. The contribution, which was 3 million USD this year, is planned to be increased to 4 million USD next year.

At the summit, President Moon proposed elevating the Korea-Mekong cooperative relationship to a 'Strategic Partnership for People, Prosperity and Peace,' which was adopted with the support of the Mekong leaders.

Following the announcement of deepening the government's New Southern Policy to 'New Southern Policy Plus' at the 'Korea-ASEAN Summit' held the previous day, the Blue House stated that cooperation with the Mekong region, a core axis of the New Southern Policy, is also expected to gain new momentum.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.