Welcoming Words

First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt welcome to President Hu Jintao who is paying a state visit to Korea immediately after the ending of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Today, I have met President Hu for the third time since his reelection and my inauguration as President this year. I am pleased that the friendship and mutual trust between us are deepening further thanks to our frequent meetings in such a short span of time.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was a sports festival which made a profound impression on the people of the whole world. Along with all the Korean people, I would like to congratulate President Hu and China on the success of the Olympics.

Overview of the Summit

At today’s summit, President Hu and I engaged inextensive and in-depth discussions on the future direction of the development of ties between Korea and China, issues regarding the Korean Peninsula such as the North Korean nuclear problem as well as ways to cooperate in the region and the global arena.

Ways to Give Concrete Shape to a Strategic Cooperative Partnership

In particular, President Hu and I discussed concrete measures to promote substantive development of our strategic cooperative partnership, on which we came to an agreement at the summit held last May. In this regard, we decided to expand the horizon of bilateral relations centered on economic and cultural exchanges to encompass politics and security. President Hu and I agreed to continue to engage in discussions on these issues through more frequent meetings over the years to come.

President Hu and I came to an agreement to hold the 1st high-level strategic dialogue between the Korean and Chinese foreign ministries within this year. We also agreed that scholars from both countries would conduct a joint study on the comprehensive promotion of exchanges and cooperation between our two countries and report the findings to both Governments.

Strengthening Substantive Cooperation in the Economy, Trade and Exchanges

President Hu and I also engaged in in-depth discussions on ways to promote substantive, cooperative ties, including expansion of trade and investments. We agreed to make efforts to realize the goal of increasing the annual trade volume between our two nations to reach US$200 billion by 2010, two years earlier than initially planned. President Hu and I also reached an agreement to further develop and strengthen collaboration in the fields of finance and mobile communications.

We agreed to enhance cooperation in energy and construction of nuclear power plants and to positively review participation of Korean businesses in related projects. On top of this, we agreed to strengthen collaboration in environmental matters, such as building environment-friendly, energy-saving societies.

President Hu and I also agreed to collaborate each other for the successful hosting of the World Expos which are slated for 2010 in Shanghai, China and 2012 in Yeosu, Korea respectively. At the same time, we concurred on the need to strengthen cooperation and support each other in responding to environmental problems and natural disasters.

Expansion of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges

President Hu and I shared the recognition that the bilateral people-to-people exchanges now standing at 6 million annually should be further increased on a sustained basis and decided to strengthen cooperation in this regard. We also decided to designate 2010 Visit China Year and 2012 Visit Korea Year while expanding people-to-people exchanges, particularly among young people.

In addition, I welcomed that Chinese Embassy in Korea has elevated its Consular Office in Gwangju to a Consulate General.

Pyongyang’s Nuclear Programs and Inter-Korea Relations

President Hu and I reaffirmed the principle that the two countries would help realize denuclearization of North Korea through the Six-Party Talks. We agreed to step up efforts to help implement the second-phase measures required for fulfilling the September 19 Joint Statement. Upon completion of the second phase, we should be able to launch consultations as soon as possible to come up with action plans for the next phase.

I explained to the Chinese President about the Korean Government’s endeavor to develop South-Northrelations based on the principle of co-existence and co-prosperity with a view to bringing about permanent peace and a common economic community on the Korean Peninsula. President Hu Jintao expressed China’s continuing support and hope that South and North Korea would improve bilateral ties through reconciliation and cooperation and eventually realize peaceful unification.

Reinforcing Cooperation in the Regional and International Arena

President Hu and I agreed to solidify collaboration in the UN and all other international organizations as well as in the Northeast Asian regional affairs. We were in consensus that the two countries should deepen their collaboration in dealing with global problems, including climate change, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and human rights.

Concluding Remarks

I am very pleased that I was able to exchange views with President Hu in substantial depth. I have no doubt that the friendship and trust that the two of us were able to build up will greatly help materialize benefits of the elevated Korea-China relations, further progressing the bilateral ties. I expect that the results will lead to expansion of exchange visits and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Thank you very much.