Hong Nam-ki Meets Israeli Minister of Industry... "Strengthening Health and Medical Cooperation"

Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister, is greeting Amir Peretz, Minister of Economy and Industry of Israel, during his visit at the Government Seoul Office in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 11th. 2021.5.11
Photo by Yonhap News

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister, met with Amir Peretz, Minister of Economy and Industry of Israel, on the 11th to share COVID-19 response measures and discuss strengthening cooperation in health and medical fields.

According to the Office for Government Policy Coordination on the day, Acting Prime Minister Hong met with Minister Peretz at 4 p.m. at the Government Seoul Office. Minister Peretz was visiting Korea to attend the signing ceremony for the amendment of the Industrial Technology Cooperation Treaty and the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) scheduled for the 12th. Originally, Ashkenazi, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, was also scheduled to attend the meeting, but the meeting was canceled as he urgently returned to Israel that morning due to escalating armed conflict with Palestine.

Acting Prime Minister Hong introduced Korea’s quarantine measures and vaccination status to Minister Peretz and praised Israel as a global leader in vaccination, having approached herd immunity through rapid vaccine rollout.

Furthermore, welcoming the signing of the Korea-Israel FTA and the amendment of the Industrial Technology Cooperation Treaty between the two countries, he said, “Let us further promote economic exchanges and research and development cooperation in future industries between the two countries.” The Industrial Technology Cooperation Treaty, established in 1999, is an agreement for joint development research fund formation and foundation establishment between the two countries. The current amendment aims to expand the fund size, among other things.

Acting Prime Minister Hong emphasized, “The Korea-Israel FTA is the first FTA Korea has signed with a Middle Eastern country and the first FTA Israel has signed with an Asian country, carrying significant economic and diplomatic meaning,” adding, “Let us work to ensure its prompt ratification and enforcement.”

Minister Peretz expressed hope that “the Korea-Israel FTA and the amendment of the Industrial Technology Cooperation Treaty will deepen the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries.”

Meanwhile, after the meeting, Acting Prime Minister Hong posted on his social media, “Korea and Israel have been long-time friends steadily developing friendly and cooperative relations since establishing diplomatic ties in 1962. If the COVID-19 situation improves, I look forward to the two countries growing closer through various cultural events and human exchanges next year, the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.” He also offered condolences regarding the unfortunate accident that occurred last month at the Israel pilgrimage event, stating, “I pray for the repose of the victims and the speedy recovery of the injured.”

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