President Lee Visits Indonesia and Malaysia

Aims to cement ties in energy and defense areas

President Lee Myung-bak has begun to turn his eyes toward major Southeast Asian countries in a bid to secure the basis for a stable energy supply and fortify relations in the defense industry with the relevant countries.
Lee’s move draws attention as it comes amid growing tension on the Korean Peninsula involving the live-fire military drill by the South and the threat of countermeasures by the North.
Such visits by Lee have been applauded as Malaysia and Indonesia are replete with natural resources and with huge potential for future growth.
President Lee and Prime Minister Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak of Malaysia held summit talks on Dec. 10 in Putrajaya, the federal administrative center of Malaysia.
The two leaders adopted a joint statement on strengthening bilateral relations between Seoul and Kuala Lumpur and held a joint press conference after the summit. They agreed in the joint statement that bilateral ties between Korea and Malaysia have progressed to a new stage of partnership for co-prosperity. They also agreed to consider measures to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade and the economy, including a free trade pact. Korea already signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with ASEAN member countries, which includes Malaysia, in 2006.
The leaders also shared a common understanding that nuclear energy can play an important role as a safe and sustainable source of energy and agreed to cooperate for its peaceful use.
At a joint press conference after the summit, the president said that countries should regard nuclear energy development as a new energy source for humans to use to cope with climate change.
After the summit, the president visited a nuclear energy promotion venue built in Kuala Lumpur by the Korea Nuclear Energy Promotion Agency.
Korea and Malaysia agreed to cooperate in order to penetrate markets in the Middle East and Central Asia in a variety of sectors, including green industries like bio and nuclear energy, IT, communication, transportation and oil and gas.
Both leaders attended a signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on joint cooperation in energy exploration and development projects in Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Iraq.
Meanwhile, in an interview with the leading Malaysian daily, The Star, the president said Malaysia’s vast bio energy sources and Korea’s advanced green technology will be able to produce new business opportunities.
President Lee and Prime Minister Najib also agreed to establish a Korea-Malaysia business association to discuss partnership advancement between state-funded corporations.
The two leaders also united to condemn North Korea’s attack on the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong, stating that such action violates the UN Charter and poses a serious threat to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula.
They further agreed to work toward exchanges of minister-level government officials and upgrade defense cooperation between the two countries.
Both leaders also agreed to make efforts to revitalize the tourism industry by expanding air routes and promoting tourist attractions to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Malaysia.
Najib agreed to visit Korea next year at the request of the president.
The two leaders also signed MOUs in bio energy cooperation, science technology and legal assistance in criminal investigations and jurisdiction.
The president arrived in Indonesia and held summit talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Dec. 9.
Lee and President Yudhoyono discussed bilateral issues such as Korean businesses’ work with Indonesia’s defense industry and nuclear energy development. They also discussed ways to bolster cooperation on global issues.
Yudhoyono thanked the president for co-chairing the Bali Democracy Forum. The president stressed the importance of international cooperation for peace, stability and co-prosperity in Asia.
Since the last state visit in March 2009, Korea and Indonesia have expanded cooperation across a number of different industries and sectors, including “green” development and information technology.
Lee expressed his hope to further develop the strategic partnership and build close relations with next year’s ASEAN summit chair.
Yudhoyono congratulated Lee for successfully hosting the G20 Seoul Summit, and in return, Lee thanked Yudhoyono for Indonesia’s cooperation and help.
Lee discussed Korea’s experiences in development and democracy on Dec. 9 in a keynote speech at the third Bali Democracy Forum.
Lee and Yudhoyono co-chaired the forum for leaders in the Asia-Pacific region.
Leaders and high-level government officials from 69 countries, including the ASEAN+3, attended the forum.
At the forum, President Lee explained the significance of democracy in building peace and stability, and introduced Korea’s experiences with democratization. The president also urged attendees to strengthen development cooperation in order to achieve co-prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
The president led a discussion meeting for high-level officials with Yudhoyono on the theme of democracy, peace and stability.
After the forum, the president attended a luncheon with several other leaders from Asia and the Pacific region, including Japanese Foreign Minister Maehara Seiji, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Sultan of the Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddin Waddaulah.
The Bali Democracy Forum is a leader-level regional cooperation forum established by President Yudhoyono in 2008. The gathering was designed to share practices and experiences of democratization in the Asia-Pacific region.
The president flew back to Seoul on Dec. 11 after finishing his Southeast Asian itinerary. nw

(from top) Korean President Lee Myung-bak holds a one-on-one meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Dec. 9.; President Lee attends the opening ceremony of the third Bali Democracy Forum. (Courtesy on Cheong Wa Dae)

(from top) President Lee and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak witness the signing of two documents on bilateral cooperation on Dec. 10.; President Lee speaks during his meeting with Korean residents in Malaysia and Korean business leaders, who accompanied him, including Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, POSCO Chairman Chung Joon-yang, HDEC President Kim Joong-kyum, and KOTRA President Cho Hwan-eik. (Courtesy on Cheong Wa Dae)