South Korea, Thailand hold summit on high-tech industry cooperation
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, front, is shown the way by Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha during a welcoming ceremony at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. AP-Yonhap
South Korean President Moon Jae-in expressed hope Monday for close cooperation between his country and Thailand in responding to the fourth industrial revolution.
Beginning summit talks here with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Moon cited Seoul's New Southern Policy and Bangkok's "Thailand 4.0" initiative. If the two are "connected," the two sides will be able to pull off future growth together, the president said.
He stressed that Thailand is one of the most important partners for his government's New Southern Policy intended to strengthen and broaden partnerships with Southeast Asian nations and India.
Moon said Thailand is South Korea's traditional friend, having dispatched thousands of troops to help fight against North Korea during the 1950-53 conflict.
The prime minister also noted that Thailand's relations with South Korea have expanded to various sectors including education, investment and technology.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, center, escorted by Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, second from left, reviews an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. AP-Yonhap
He said he has enjoyed watching a Korean drama, titled "Descendants of the Sun," which features a love story between a special forces soldier and a female doctor.
"Among Thai people, South Korean movies, singers and K-pop music are popular, as well as South Korea's home appliances," he said. "Last year, 1.8 million South Koreans visited Thailand and 550,000 Thai tourists went to South Korea."
In addition to such people-to-people exchanges, Prayut said, the two sides have great potential for economic cooperation.
"President Moon's trip this time is a very good opportunity," he added.
Moon arrived in Bangkok on Sunday, becoming South Korea's first leader to visit the Southeast Asian nation in seven years. He's also the first foreign leader to travel to Thailand since the launch of the Prayut administration in July. (Yonhap)