I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Myanmar president will visit for summit Tuesday
By Kang Hyun-kyung
President Thein Sein of Myanmar will visit Korea next week for a summit with President Lee Myung-bak slated for Tuesday, according to Cheong Wa Dae Friday.
The Myanmar leader’s Seoul trip comes five months after Lee met him during Le’s trip to the Southeast Asian country in May.
Lee was the first South Korean leader, who visited Myanmar since 1983 when Rangoon bombing, an assassination attempt to then President Chun Doo-hwan, occurred.
The deadly terrorist attacks spearheaded by North Korean agents killed 17 high-profile figures with 14 others injured.
In a press release, Cheong Wa Dae said Lee and Sein will discuss ways to expand ties in trade, investment, energy, development assistance and human-to-human exchange. The two leaders will also exchange ideas on regional affairs and cooperation in global issues.
During the Seoul trip, President Sein will meet Korean business leaders and the Saemaul center dedicated to training foreign officials in charge of the agricultural sector and Korean farmers.
South Korea has resumed development assistance to Myanmar, which was halted since 2005 for human rights abuses of then the regime.
Since being sworn in as president last March, Sein has taken a set of measures for economic reforms and democracy.
This prompted Western countries, including the United States, and Korea to ease sanctions imposed on Myanmar for nearly two decades.
Washington has encouraged Myanmar to cut military cooperation with North Korea and the Southeast Asian country responded positively to this.
The resources-rich nation is viewed as an emerging market for investors. Some speculated that business opportunities in the country could be bigger than those of Vietnam.
The Myanmar leader will arrive in Seoul next Monday for the three-day trip amid expectations among local businessmen and investors were high about the emerging country.