Why did Lee Jae Myung welcome Jose Ramos-Horta’s visit to Korea?

Lee said the two countries share values of peace and democracy and have built a longstanding friendship through economic and social development cooperation. He described them as partners that support each other on the international stage.

What is the significance of Jose Ramos-Horta’s visit ahead of Korea and Timor-Leste’s diplomatic anniversary?

It is the first visit to Korea by an East Timorese leader since the countries established diplomatic relations in 2002. Lee said he hoped the visit would create new opportunities for cooperation and serve as an important milestone before the 25th anniversary next year.

Lee welcomes East Timor President Horta's visit to Korea ahead of summit

Q: What will Lee Jae Myung and Jose Ramos-Horta discuss at their Korea summit?

The Friday summit is intended to explore ways to strengthen practical cooperation in diplomacy, security, intellectual property, climate change and human exchanges. Lee also expressed hope for deeper cooperation in the economy and socio-cultural fields.

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung welcomed East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta to Korea on Thursday, ahead of their Friday summit in Seoul. Horta’s official visit, scheduled through Saturday, is the first by an East Timorese leader since diplomatic relations began in 2002. Lee said he hoped the visit would deepen cooperation and mark a milestone ahead of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.

Key Facts

Lee and Horta are set to discuss cooperation in diplomacy, security, intellectual property, climate change and human exchanges.
Lee described the countries’ friendship as founded on shared values of peace and democracy.
Lee said the countries had cooperated in economic and social development and supported each other on the international stage.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 5, 2026 11:21 am KST

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung arrives at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, June 18. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-seog

President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday welcomed East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta's first visit to Korea, expressing hope for a stronger partnership between the two countries on the occasion of next year's 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Lee wrote the message on his X account, as Horta was scheduled to make an official visit to Korea from Thursday through Saturday, marking the first trip to Korea by an East Timorese leader since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2002.

Lee and Horta will hold a summit Friday to explore ways to enhance tangible cooperation in various fields, including diplomacy, security, intellectual property, climate change and human exchanges.

"The Republic of Korea and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste have built a longstanding friendship founded on our shared values of peace and democracy," Lee said, referring to the two countries by their official names.

"Our partnership has grown through cooperation in economic and social development, and today, our two countries stand as steadfast partners supporting each other on the international stage," the Korean president said. "Together with the people of the Republic of Korea, I extend my warmest welcome to President Jose Ramos-Horta on his first official visit."

Lee expressed hope Horta's visit "will open new opportunities to deepen our substantive cooperation across diplomacy, security, the economy and the socio-cultural fields."

"As we look ahead to the 25th anniversary of our diplomatic relations next year, I hope this visit will mark another important milestone in our enduring friendship and pave the way for an even stronger partnership in the years ahead," he added.

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