China News Agency, Seoul, August 18 (Reporter Liu Xu and Zhang Shuo) On the 17th local time, South Korean President Moon Jae-in held talks with visiting Kazakh President Tokayev. The two heads of state exchanged views on the further development of bilateral relations. , And signed a number of memorandums of cooperation.
This is the first summit meeting between the two heads of state after the meeting in April 2019.
According to South Korean media reports, during the meeting on the 17th, Moon Jae-in and Tokayev agreed to strengthen cooperation in new areas such as the fourth industrial revolution, health care, and aerospace based on the results of their cooperation, and through sharing anti-epidemic experience We will cooperate closely in tackling infectious diseases, jointly address global issues such as climate change and forest issues through international institutions, and reach consensus on the need to expand pragmatic cooperation on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries next year.
The official website of the Kazakh Presidential Palace reported that during the talks that day, the two sides discussed the development prospects of the Kazakh-Korea strategic partnership.
Tokayev said that South Korea is an important strategic partner of Kazakhstan in East Asia. Kazakhstan attaches great importance to the comprehensive development of friendly relations with South Korea. Economic and trade cooperation has become the core area of development between the two countries.
Over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the cooperation between the two countries has enjoyed a good momentum of development.
Even during the pandemic, the two sides have maintained close contact in various fields.
After the meeting, Moon Jae-in and Tokayev respectively spoke highly of the meeting as an "important milestone" and a "historical day."
The two sides also jointly issued the "Joint Statement on Deepening Strategic Partnership" after the meeting, reaffirming the friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.
In addition, Moon Jae-in and Tokayev also attended a symposium of financial professionals from the two countries to discuss economic cooperation plans.
During Tokayev's visit to South Korea, the public opinions of the two countries gave positive comments on the visit.
The Kazakhstan Satellite Network reported on Tokayev's state visit to South Korea on the 17th with the title "Kazakh President Became the First Foreign Head of State Visited since the Outbreak of South Korea".
Yonhap News Agency reported that Tokayev was the first state guest to visit South Korea since the outbreak of the new crown epidemic.
South Korea’s ambassador to Kazakhstan, Qiu Hongxi, said in an interview with Kazakh media that the prospects for cooperation between South Korea and Kazakhstan in fields including medical and health, traditional energy, and information and communication technology are particularly broad.
Qiu Hongxi said, "I believe that the two countries will establish more diverse and rich connections in the future, and this connection does not only exist in the economic and trade field."
Taking the opportunity of Tokayev's visit to South Korea, the two countries also facilitated the transfer of the remains of South Korean anti-Japanese independence activist General Hong Fantu from Kazakhstan to South Korea.
On the evening of the 15th local time, the remains of General Hong Fantu were airlifted back to South Korea, and Moon Jae-in personally greeted him at the airport.
On the 16th, Moon Jae-in said through the Blue House spokesperson that it was of far-reaching significance to take the remains of General Hong Fantu back to the motherland on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Liberation. He posthumously awarded the highest honor to General Hong Fantu on the morning of the 17th. National Foundation Medal "Republic of Korea Chapter".
Moon Jae-in said that President Tokayev spared no effort to support the return of the South Korean anti-Japanese martyrs who slept in Kazakhstan, "this is a far-reaching gift."
Tokayev attended the posthumous ceremony of Hong Fantu.
He said that the historic event has strengthened the ties between the two peoples, and the transfer of the remains of the Korean hero Hong Bumtu has special historical significance. It reflects Kazakhstan's sincere respect for the Korean people and the mutual trust and assistance between the two countries.
In addition, Tokayev also attended the unveiling ceremony of the bust of Kazakh thinker and poet Abai Kunanbayev during his visit.
Tokayev spoke highly of the erection of statues of great figures of Kazakhstan in Seoul's colleges and universities, believing that this will deepen the friendship between the two countries.
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