Thank you very much.

The Korean saying, “When a rooster crows at dawn in Qingdao, it can be heard in Incheon” well illustrates how close Korea and China are to each other.

The fact that bilateral relations between the two countries have been elevated to a strategic cooperative partnership today represents a new historic beginning, looking toward the future

I met President Hu Jintao today for the first time, but, at the summit, I felt as if he were an old friend. I also believe that President Hu has the same feeling.

This is my first state visit since I was inaugurated as President. I am wholeheartedly grateful to President Hu and the people of China for inviting me and my delegation and extending a warmhearted welcome to all of us.

More than anything else, I would like to express my profound grief to everyone who suffered from the recent devastating earthquake in Sichuan and offer my deepest condolences. I am confident that the Chinese people will recover from the destruction very soon with united efforts under the leadership of President Hu Jintao.

In addition, it is my firm belief that the forthcoming Beijing Olympic Games will be a successful grand festival that will unite peoples around the world as one.

Enhancement of Bilateral Relations

Today, President Hu and I engaged in candid and extensive discussions on the future direction of friendly and cooperative ties between South Korea and China, issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula such as the North Korean nuclear problem, regional and international circumstances and ways to cooperate in the global arena.

Through the talks, I got the impression that we share a common political philosophy: governance should be based on creativity and pragmatism. Based on the spirit of creativity and pragmatism, President Hu and I agreed to open a new era of cooperation going far beyond the achievements in bilateral relations to date.

From that perspective, we reached an agreement to upgrade South Korea-China relations from a “comprehensive cooperative partnership” to a “strategic cooperative partnership.”

Accordingly, South Korea and China will heighten cooperation in all areas, including foreign affairs, security, economy, society and culture. On top of cooperation for the advancement of bilateral relations, the two countries will engage in close consultations to deal with issues in Northeast Asia, including the Korean Peninsula, and global matters of mutual concern as well.

President Hu and I agreed that the Korean and Chinese foreign ministries would hold an in-depth strategic dialogue on a regular basis to give concrete shape and provide substance to the development of bilateral relations.

Strengthening Substantive Cooperation in the Economy, Trade and People-to-People Exchanges

President Hu and I also engaged in in-depth discussions on ways to heighten substantive collaboration in trade, investment and finance. We agreed to place greater emphasis on cooperation in such areas as mobile communications, finance, construction of nuclear plants and energy while further bolstering collaboration in science, technology and the environment.

When it comes to a Korea-China FTA, President Hu and I reached an agreement to continue to positively consider the issue based on the findings of industry-government-academia joint feasibility studies. We also saw eye to eye on the need for a phased increase in the number of young people invited at the government level to promote the future-oriented development of bilateral relations.

Bolstering Ties for the Promotion of Stability and Prosperity on the Korean Peninsula

We also shared a common understanding of the importance of cooperation between Korea and China for the progress of the Six-Party Talks and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.I gave a high evaluation to China’s constructive role as the host of the Six-Party Talks for the promotion of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. President Hu and I agreed to maintain close cooperation and that each nation would continue to do its part for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

I explained the position of the South Korean Government towards North Korea; the Korean Government is committed to opening a mutually beneficial road between the North and South through sincere talks, expediting a resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and expanding the scope of economic cooperation and exchanges.

President Hu reaffirmed the Chinese Government’s unwavering support for improving inter-Korean relations through dialogue and negotiations to ultimately realize the reunification of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner.

Conclusion

I invited President Hu to visit Korea in the near future. President Hu accepted the offer with pleasure.

I expressed my wish for the success of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and promised to attend the opening ceremony at the request of President Hu.

We agreed to meet whenever necessary to discuss pending issues and matters of mutual interest. It was my great delight to establish a good rapport and share a common understanding with President Hu through the summit this time. I am looking forward to meeting him again in the near future.

Thank you.