Korea, Singapore call for joint efforts to fight crisis, improve ties

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, June 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Singapore's
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed Wednesday to join efforts to fight the
global economic crisis while calling for expanded economic ties between their
countries, often referred to as Asia's dragons.
"Both of the countries are facing difficulties due to the economic crisis, but I
believe this can be an opportunity to expand our bilateral relationship if Korea
and Singapore work together to overcome the financial crisis," the South Korean
president said at the start of the summit.
The Singaporean premier said his country hopes "to further our relationship with
Korea."
The two met earlier this week in South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju
where a special summit between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) was held. The two-day summit ended Tuesday.
"Thank you Mr. President for your very warm welcome and the very successful
Korea-ASEAN summit in Jeju," Lee Hsien Loong said.
President Lee noted Singapore was one of the nations closest to Korea among the
ASEAN states, saying his country's bilateral trade with Singapore exceeds that of
any other ASEAN country.
"President Lee and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed to boost exchanges
between their countries in various areas including financial, medical and green
development to help create a win-win situation," Seoul's presidential office
Cheong Wa Dae later said in a press release.
The bilateral summit was held for one hour and was to be followed later by a
state dinner at Cheong Wa Dae.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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