Speaker Park continues intensive diplomatic efforts on Day 2 of the 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (WCSP)
– Back-to-back bilateral meetings with eight parliamentary leaders including Speakers of India, Belgium, and Ireland
– Parliamentary summit meeting with two women speakers of the bicameral Belgian parliament
– “I appreciate Ireland’s humanitarian assistance to North Korea,” says the Speaker to his Irish counterpart
– Speaker Park discusses boosting cooperation in defense and software industries with India
– The Speaker proposes to provide parliamentary support for cooperation between Korea and Georgia to reach its full potential in the meeting with his Georgian counterpart
– When Armenian Speaker said he had 6 bilateral meetings one day, Speaker Park said, “I met with 15 speakers yesterday.”
Speaker Park Byeong-seug of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, who is on his official visit to Austria, continued parliamentary summit diplomacy on September 8 (local time), meeting with 8 Speakers also attending the 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (WCSP) at the Austria Center Vienna.
Speaker Park held a meeting with a total of 24 parliamentary leaders and the Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the 2 days of the conference in a bid to expand the horizon of Korea’s parliamentary diplomacy. (See the table at the end of the article)
Speaker Park met with President Mark Daly of the Senate of Ireland to discuss bilateral cooperation between South Korea and Ireland and humanitarian assistance to North Korea.
Speaker Park said Korea and Ireland share much in common historically in terms of achieving independence in the face of foreign invasion and maintaining national identities. He also expressed his appreciation that Concern, Ireland’s largest civic group, has supplied humanitarian aid to North Korea since 1997, delivering water, sanitation, hygiene, and agricultural support.
President Daly said that Concern is still active and the Irish Government also appreciates their activities.
Speaker Park expressed hope that “North Korea engages with the international community and enhance the quality of life for their people” so that it can be recognized as a country that seeks peace. He also stressed the South Korean government’s firm stance that humanitarian assistance including food aid should be maintained “regardless of political situations.
Touching upon the Irish internal situation where integration with Northern Ireland is being pursued, President Daly showed interest in learning about the South Korean government’s experience in managing the situation of national division.
Speaker Park replied that “it would be beneficial for the Korean and Irish governments to share their experiences.”
Taking noting, with satisfaction, of the smooth exchanges between the two countries and strong investment ties, Speaker Park explained Korea’s Green New Deal Policy and expressed hope for greater cooperation in renewable energy including wind power.
In addition, he sought Ireland’s support for Korea’s bid for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council and Korea’s candidacy to the Human Rights Council.
Before wrapping up the meeting, the two leaders requested reciprocal official visits to each other’s countries.
The Speaker also met with Speaker Om Birla of the Indian Lok Sabha (House of the People) to discuss boosting cooperation in the defense and software industries.
In recognition of the “special strategic partnership between Korea and India which is a key partner for Korea’s New Southern Policy,” Speaker Park showed his expectation that the two countries would “expand strategic collaboration through harmonious cooperation between Korea’s New Southern Policy and Prime Minister Modi’s Act East Policy.”
Speaker Birla expressed his will to promote inter-parliamentary exchanges for the sake of democracy, saying that there are many possibilities for cooperation. Recognizing Korea’s renowned high-tech prowess, the Indian speaker also expressed hope for greater exchanges of technology professionals.
Speaker Birla also mentioned his hope for Speaker Park’s visit to a new Indian parliament building after its completion in 2022.
Speaker Park thanked Speaker Birla for the invitation and expressed his full concurrence with the Indian Speaker’s suggestion to expand inter-parliamentary exchanges. Considering the 60th anniversary of consular relations this year and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023, Speaker Park extended a “cordial invitation” to his Indian counterpart to visit Korea next year.
“Given India’s well-known strength in software and ICT, our two countries can enjoy synergy effects from a cooperative partnership in high-tech sectors, including ICT, AI, and big data,” Speaker Park said, suggesting that the two parliaments play important roles to this end.
Speaker Park added that a roadmap for defense industries cooperation, signed between the two countries in February 2021, presented a blueprint for bilateral cooperation in the defense sector. Expressing his wish for continued expansion in bilateral cooperation in the field, the Speaker proposed the two parliaments’ joint efforts in this regard.
He also conveyed his appreciation for India’s consistent support for “complete denuclearization and lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula” and requested “India’s greater role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.”
Speaker Park also had a meeting with two presiding officers of the Belgian Parliament – Speaker Stephnie D’Hose of the Senate and President Eliane Tillieux of the Chamber of Representatives. Belgium is the first country to have women speakers in both chambers.
Touching upon the deadly floods in July, Speaker Park first offered his “condolences to the bereaved families and people of Belgium” on behalf of the people of the Republic of Korea.
Belgium was hit by devastating floods last July and held a national day of mourning on July 20.
Speaker Park also said he was “happy to note Korea’s growing friendly ties with Belgium, a traditional partner which took part in the Korean War, in various areas.”
He said that “economic exchanges, trade and investment remain steady despite the pandemic,” and it demonstrates the “strength of the bilateral relations between Korea and Belgium.” He explained his view that there is huge potential for cooperation between the two countries, considering the many commonalities that they share in terms of the policy of openness and highly-skilled workforce, and proposed to strengthen practical cooperation in this regard.
The trade volume between Korea and Belgium has steadily increased from US＄4 billion in 2019 to 4.3 billion in 2020.
Speaker D’Hose responded by expressing her hope for increased dialogue between the two countries, marking the 120th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, as well as stronger investment, economic cooperation and diplomatic ties.
She explained that since it is the first time for Belgium to have women speakers in both chambers of parliament, they decided to have a joint meeting with Speaker Park.
Speaker expressed his gratitude for Belgium’s support in bringing Korean citizens home from Mali and ensuring Pfizer vaccines to be delivered to Korea. He also said he would not have to worry about the future deliveries of Pfizer vaccines manufactured in Belgium to Korea now that he met with both speakers of Belgium.
The Belgian government’s support ensured the shipments of vaccines produced in the Pfizer manufacturing plant in Belgium to arrive in Korea without delay. In addition, 11 Korean nationals, who had been stranded in Mali, escaped the country aboard a Belgian military aircraft and returned home safely.
Acknowledging Korea as a model in COVID-19 response, Speaker D’Hose said she was interested in learning from Korea’s experience, especially concerning the importance of parliamentary roles in times of pandemic. She also showed interest in Korea’s climate change response.
Speaker Park introduced the “three elements of the country’s strategy: Test, Trace, and Treatment (3Ts).” “Among these three elements, tracing was only possible because of advanced IT technology,” explained the Speaker. He also cited the well-established medical system and citizens’ voluntary participation as part of the strengths of Korea’s disease prevention and control system.
Then Speaker Park informed his Belgian counterparts of Korea’s pledge to go carbon neutral by 2050 and sought Belgium’s support in Seoul’s bid for COP28.
He also said he was impressed by “Speaker D’Hose’s intervention in a debate session yesterday,” during which she shared her concern over the production and distribution of disinformation.
The Speaker extended his appreciation for Belgium’s consistent support for the Korean Peninsula Peace Process. He also expressed his hope that Belgium, as the home of the European Union, plays a leading role in “EU’s engagement efforts with North Korea” and that “today’s meeting serves as a chance to boost inter-parliamentary exchanges between Korea and Belgium.”
In his meeting with President Allen Simonyan of the Armenian National Assembly, Speaker Park offered congratulations on President Simonyan’s inauguration in August and the 30th anniversary of Armenian independence.
In response, President Simonyan thanked Speaker Park for Korea’s support in installing an electronic voting system in the Armenian parliament based on Korea’s technology.
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) carried out the official development cooperation (ODA) project (2010-2011) in Armenia install the Korean National Assembly’s electronic voting system in the Armenian legislature.
Speaker Park also appreciated the quadruple growth in the bilateral trade volume in the last five years. He shared his view that the bilateral ties between Korea and Armenia have not reached their potential and expressed his wish for further bolstering of exchanges and cooperation going forward.
The Speaker also expressed his hope for Armenia to complete its domestic procedures to sign the agreement on economic, scientific, and technological cooperation with Korea.
During the meeting, Speaker Park introduced Rep. Song Ki-hun, the President of the Korea-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The two Speakers encouraged Rep. Song to serve as a focal point in strengthening inter-parliamentary exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting between Speaker Park and President Simonyan, who is in his 40s, was friendly and amicable.
When President Simonyan introduced his busy schedule by saying that “I had 6 bilateral meetings yesterday,” Speaker Park responded, “I met with 15 speakers yesterday” to the laughter of other participants.
During his meeting with Speaker Kakhaber Kuchava of the Georgian Parliament, Speaker Park agreed with his Georgian counterpart to boost inter-parliamentary exchanges and cooperation.
“The 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Georgia approaches next year. However, the bilateral economic cooperation has not reached its full potential,” said Speaker Park, expressing his wish for “Korean companies with technology and proven track record in overseas projects to take part in the Georgian government’s initiatives to modernize infrastructure and build a transportation and logistics hub.”
In response, Speaker Kuchava said that Georgia needs the right partner and is ready to work together with Korea. He also added that he wants to have opportunities to share experiences with Korea in diverse areas including technological innovation and digital technology as well as a boost in bilateral trade and business relations.
Speaker Park expressed his appreciation for the Georgian government’s consistent support for the denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula and requested its continued assistance. He also sought Georgia’s support for K-water’s hydroelectric power plant construction project on the Nenskra River.
During the closing session of the 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, Speaker Park met on the sidelines with President Esperança Bias of the Assembly of Mozambique, Speaker Hanafi Ali Gibali of the House of Representatives of Egypt, and Deputy Speaker Ana María Marì Machado of the National Assembly of Cuba to discuss ways to enhance inter-parliamentary exchanges and cooperation.
Participants from the Korean side also included Rep. Song Ki-hun of the Democratic Party of Korea, Rep. Song Seog-jun of the People Power Party, Koh Yun-hee, Speaker’s Senior Secretary for Public Relations, Ambassador Kim Hyung-gil, Speaker’s Senior Adviser for Foreign Affairs, and Kwak Hyun-joon, Director-General of the International Affairs and Protocol Bureau.
Source: The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea