By Rachel Lee
President Park Geun-hye called for international cooperation in pressing North Korea to give up nuclear ambitions in a speech at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Mongolia, Friday.
"The world is still vulnerable to endless threats from terrorists and North Korea's nuclear weapons," Park said. "The world should take joint action to make North Korea give up its nuclear development program. It is threatening the world with more nuclear tests despite international sanctions."
On the sidelines of the meeting, Park held bilateral talks with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, respectively.
She asked for them to cooperate in handling Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions, Cheong Wa Dae said.
South Korea has been expanding ties with countries that have maintained traditional ties with North Korea in an effort to isolate the hostile country further.
The presidential office said Seoul will continue to seek international collaboration to change North Korea and make it a responsible member of the international community.
During the meetings with the EU leaders, Park discussed ways to strengthen Korea-EU strategic ties. The two reaffirmed their commitments to cooperate following Brexit.
This was the second time for Park to meet with the current EU leadership since the 8th Korea-EU Summit in Seoul last September.
She also held bilateral talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Laos' Prime Minister, Thongloun Sisoulith.
Park gave the speech to Asian and European leaders as the first speaker representing Asia. Leaders from 51 countries across Asia and Europe were in Ulaanbaatar for the two-day event under the theme "20 years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity."
During the speech, Park stressed the importance of expanding free trade amid economic uncertainties fueled by Britain's recent decision to leave the EU and suggested the resumption of the long-suspended ASEM Economic Ministers' Meeting in Seoul to discuss detailed measures.
Park called for Laos's "constructive" role in dealing with issues surrounding the Korean peninsula including the North's nuclear threats.
The presidential office said talks with Laos, leading the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, will be a good opportunity to establish bilateral relations not only with Korea but also with many other nations. Laos has traditionally maintained close relations with North Korea.
This was the first time for the President to hold talks with the Laotian leader since he took office in April.
Park also called for support from Vietnam in backing her policy towards Pyongyang. On the basis of the Korea-Vietnam free trade agreement that took effect last December, the two leaders discussed ways to expand strategic ties especially in relatively new sectors including new energy, information and communications technologies, and health care.
Following the ASEM summit, Park will hold a meeting with Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj.
They are expected to seek ways to strengthen cooperation in tackling climate change through the development of renewable energy, and an anti-desertification program. They also are expected to discuss cooperation in telemedicine and electronic governance, as well as cultural areas, according to the presidential office.
This was her first visit to Mongolia during her presidential term.
Park will return home, Monday.
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| President Park Geun-hye speaks during the opening session of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Mongolia, Friday. / Joint press corps |
"The world is still vulnerable to endless threats from terrorists and North Korea's nuclear weapons," Park said. "The world should take joint action to make North Korea give up its nuclear development program. It is threatening the world with more nuclear tests despite international sanctions."
On the sidelines of the meeting, Park held bilateral talks with European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, respectively.
She asked for them to cooperate in handling Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions, Cheong Wa Dae said.
South Korea has been expanding ties with countries that have maintained traditional ties with North Korea in an effort to isolate the hostile country further.
The presidential office said Seoul will continue to seek international collaboration to change North Korea and make it a responsible member of the international community.
During the meetings with the EU leaders, Park discussed ways to strengthen Korea-EU strategic ties. The two reaffirmed their commitments to cooperate following Brexit.
This was the second time for Park to meet with the current EU leadership since the 8th Korea-EU Summit in Seoul last September.
She also held bilateral talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Laos' Prime Minister, Thongloun Sisoulith.
Park gave the speech to Asian and European leaders as the first speaker representing Asia. Leaders from 51 countries across Asia and Europe were in Ulaanbaatar for the two-day event under the theme "20 years of ASEM: Partnership for the Future through Connectivity."
During the speech, Park stressed the importance of expanding free trade amid economic uncertainties fueled by Britain's recent decision to leave the EU and suggested the resumption of the long-suspended ASEM Economic Ministers' Meeting in Seoul to discuss detailed measures.
Park called for Laos's "constructive" role in dealing with issues surrounding the Korean peninsula including the North's nuclear threats.
The presidential office said talks with Laos, leading the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this year, will be a good opportunity to establish bilateral relations not only with Korea but also with many other nations. Laos has traditionally maintained close relations with North Korea.
This was the first time for the President to hold talks with the Laotian leader since he took office in April.
Park also called for support from Vietnam in backing her policy towards Pyongyang. On the basis of the Korea-Vietnam free trade agreement that took effect last December, the two leaders discussed ways to expand strategic ties especially in relatively new sectors including new energy, information and communications technologies, and health care.
Following the ASEM summit, Park will hold a meeting with Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj.
They are expected to seek ways to strengthen cooperation in tackling climate change through the development of renewable energy, and an anti-desertification program. They also are expected to discuss cooperation in telemedicine and electronic governance, as well as cultural areas, according to the presidential office.
This was her first visit to Mongolia during her presidential term.
Park will return home, Monday.
