News: The Straits Times - 4 June 2009
Seoul keen on cultural centre in Singapore
South Korean leader welcomes suggestion from PM Lee to ride the 'Korean wave'
By Kor Kian Beng, Political Correspondent
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(Picture: South Korean President Lee Myung Bak (right) introducing some Korean delicacies to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (second from right) at a banquet at the former's official residence, the Blue House. With them are other Korean guests. -- Lianhe Zaobao photo)
SEOUL: - South Korea is in favour of setting up a Korean Culture Centre in Singapore to showcase its movies and pop culture to Singaporeans as well as the wider South-east Asian region.
South Korea's President Lee Myung Bak said last night he supported the suggestion made to him by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong when they met earlier in the day.
A Korean Culture Centre could enable Seoul to ride the 'Korean wave' to deepen its relationship with the region, PM Lee said, when asked by reporters.
'Korean movies are very popular, (so too) pop songs,' he noted.
Other ideas that the two leaders exchanged when they met at the presidential palace, the Blue House, included those on promoting free trade, expanding air services, and collaboration in research and development.
Speaking to the Singapore media after the hour-long bilateral meeting, PM Lee said they had a good meeting. This stemmed from excellent bilateral relations, and relations forged via Asean and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) get-togethers.
Apart from the culture centre, the Singapore leader also suggested that South Korea consider joining the Trans-Pacific Strategic Partnership (TPP), a free trade arrangement between Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand and Chile.
Australia, Vietnam, Peru and the United States are considering joining, PM Lee added.
The TPP was a 'constructive way' to further free trade among nations while waiting for the stalled Doha round of World Trade Organisation talks to resume, he noted.
Bilaterally, Mr Lee said he also suggested reviewing the three-year-old free trade agreement between Singapore and Korea, with a view to 'set a new marker for trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific'.
President Lee asked his officials to approach the review in this spirit, he said.
Another idea was to enhance the existing air services agreement between Singapore and South Korea, in the light of the increase in trade, tourism and business between the two countries.
Both leaders also discussed North Korea's recent nuclear test and missile launches. PM Lee reiterated Singapore's support for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula through peaceful means.
South Korea has been seeking enhanced ties with the 10-member Asean grouping, through the New Asia Initiative launched by President Lee this year.
This week, it marked 20 years of being a dialogue partner with Asean at a summit on the Jeju tourist island. An investment agreement was signed, completing the Asean-Korea Free Trade Agreement that both sides hope will boost mutual trade amid the economic crisis.
PM Lee, who attended the summit, said closer ties between Korea and Asean will be a plus for Singaporeans in terms of job and investment opportunities.
PM Lee yesterday also met South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung Soo and Finance Minister Yoon Jeung Hyun. He was hosted to an official banquet last night by President Lee.
He will leave for China, the second leg of his week-long North-east Asia trip, before returning to Singapore on Sunday.
-end of ST article