Singaporean leader vows to help Lee devise national vision

By Yoo Cheong-mo

SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Yonhap) -- Singaporean Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on Friday agreed to serve as an adviser to President Lee Myung-bak, helping the Lee government map out its future vision and cope with global issues, the presidential office said.

Goh, who served as the prime minister of Singapore between 1990 and 2004, is in
Seoul after attending the World Leaders Forum hosted by the Korean government on
Thursday in commemoration of its 60th founding anniversary.
Lee and Goh met at the presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, to exchange views on
the ongoing global financial crisis and closer cooperation between South Korea
and Southeast Asian nations, said Cheong Wa Dae in a statement.
"Lee took note of many similarities between South Korea and Singapore, including
their brilliant economic growth, and stressed the importance of closer relations
between the two countries," said the statement.
"In addition, the president urged closer policy cooperation between South Korea
and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in overcoming the world
financial crisis and pursuing mutual prosperity."
In response, Goh commended the South Korean government for its remarkable
development in both democracy and economy, and expressed strong interest in the
Lee government's campaign for national advancement.
President Lee's international advisory group was launched in June with 15
world-renowned scholars, statesmen and entrepreneurs from 11 countries across the
world.
Its key members include Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, French scholar Guy Sorman,
World Economic Forum chairman Klaus Schwab and Harvard University President
Lawrence Summers.
Michael E. Porter, a professor at the Harvard Business School, Infosys
Technologies chairman Narayana Murthy, Brookings Institution chairman John L.
Thornton and Troika Dialog Group chairman Ruben Vardanian became new members of
the advisory group in October.