Deputy Foreign Minister Meets Myanmar Minister of International Cooperation... Policy Consultation Council Held for the First Time in 11 Years

Request for Increased Business Entry Quotas and Support
Myanmar Expresses Gratitude for Support Including Korean Diagnostic Kits... Reiterates Support for President Moon's Announced 'New Southern Policy Plus'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Kim Geon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Cho Tin, Minister of International Cooperation of Myanmar, in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar, for two days from the 25th to the 26th. He also held the 2nd Korea-Myanmar Policy Consultation and inspected the Myanmar Development Institute.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the meeting with Minister Cho Tin, Deputy Minister Kim congratulated the safe and peaceful conduct of Myanmar's general election despite the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed hope for close cooperation between the Korean government and the new Myanmar government to further strengthen Korea-Myanmar relations on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Deputy Minister Kim said, "Both countries have closely cooperated in the field of quarantine in response to the common challenge of COVID-19," and expressed gratitude for the Myanmar government's active support for Korea's New Southern Policy Plus, which aims to respond to changes in the international community after COVID-19, during the recent ASEAN-related summit.

In response, Minister Cho Tin said, "Deputy Minister Kim is the first high-ranking foreign official to visit Myanmar after the general election, which has attracted great interest from the Myanmar people," and expressed deep gratitude for Deputy Minister Kim's direct visit to Myanmar in this important year marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He added, "This visit symbolically demonstrates our government's will to further strengthen regional cooperation through the New Southern Policy Plus," and praised the Korean government for timely providing diagnostic kits. Both sides agreed to closely consult to ensure smooth progress of major cooperative projects such as the Korea-Myanmar Economic Cooperation Industrial Complex, the Korea-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, and the establishment of a Korea Desk within the Myanmar government.

Furthermore, Deputy Minister Kim requested special attention and support for expanding entry quotas to facilitate smoother visits by businesspeople and citizens between the two countries to promote economic exchanges. Minister Cho Tin responded that he would actively support the smooth progress of major cooperative projects between the two countries and especially strive to revitalize essential personnel exchanges amid COVID-19.

The 2nd Korea-Myanmar Policy Consultation in 11 Years

On the 25th, Deputy Minister Kim held the 2nd Korea-Myanmar Policy Consultation with Chan E, Deputy Minister of Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for the first time in 11 years. They comprehensively discussed cooperation measures in various fields such as political affairs, health, economy, and development, and exchanged in-depth opinions on major regional situations. The 1st Korea-Myanmar Policy Consultation was held in March 2009 in Seoul.

Both sides evaluated that despite COVID-19, close cooperation has been achieved in various fields including trade and investment, energy and infrastructure, and finance, including the implementation of agreements between the two heads of state. They agreed on the need to continue this momentum through high-level exchanges and agreed to hold policy consultations regularly.

Deputy Minister Kim also evaluated the close cooperation between the two countries regarding timely transportation of quarantine supplies such as protective clothing produced by Korean companies in Myanmar, exceptional entry permission for essential personnel such as businesspeople, repatriation of nationals, and support for quarantine supplies amid the COVID-19 crisis. He emphasized the need to continue close cooperation on COVID-19 response and vaccines.

Deputy Minister Chan E expressed gratitude for the Korean government's prompt support of diagnostic kits and quarantine supplies for Myanmar's COVID-19 response and conveyed the intention to strengthen cooperation in COVID-19 response and economic recovery in the post-COVID era.

Furthermore, Deputy Minister Kim stated that ensuring the activities of businesspeople between the two countries is essential for economic recovery in the COVID-19 era and called for cooperation to guarantee their smooth movement. He especially requested the Myanmar government to pay attention and support to minimize disruptions in production activities, as Korean garment companies in Myanmar are facing difficulties due to movement restrictions caused by the COVID-19 spread. He also requested cooperation to expand the participation of Korean companies in Myanmar's energy development projects.

Deputy Minister Chan E responded, "Various projects underway in Myanmar and the activities of Korean companies are providing practical help to local residents," and added, "We will pay attention and support to ensure that Korean companies' activities proceed without disruption despite the COVID-19 situation."

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Chan E reiterated Myanmar's active support for the New Southern Policy Plus announced by President Moon Jae-in at this year's ASEAN-related summit and expressed the intention to solidify Korea-Mekong cooperation, which was elevated to a strategic partnership at the 2nd Korea-Mekong Summit. He then explained Myanmar's position on the Myanmar peace process and the situation in Rakhine State.

Deputy Minister Kim also requested cooperation regarding the fact-checking of KAL858. He asked for Myanmar government's cooperation in verifying reports that an object presumed to be the fuselage of KAL858 was found in waters near Myanmar, to which Myanmar expressed a willingness to actively cooperate.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, "Deputy Minister Kim's visit to Myanmar is evaluated as an important opportunity to reaffirm the close friendly cooperative relationship between the two countries on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Korea-Myanmar diplomatic relations this year, to lay the foundation for a strengthened cooperative relationship with the new Myanmar government launching next year, and to expand practical cooperation in the future."

Deputy Minister Kim Geon plans to attend KOICA's donation event for a medical waste incinerator in Yangon, Myanmar, on the 27th, and then hold a meeting with representatives of Korean companies and public institutions operating in Myanmar, who serve as bridges between the two countries. He also plans to meet with Pyo Min Thein, Governor of Yangon Region, to request support from the Yangon regional government for local Korean companies.

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