Koreans celebrate N-Day
By CT Hj Mahmod

The Minister of Development Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Ahmad and Korean Ambassador Kim Woong-Nam cutting the cake.

Right: Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Ahmad's spouse, Datin Hjh Masna exchanging bouquet of flowers with Mr Kim Woong-Nam's spouse.

Foreign dignitaries attending last night's gala dinner. Photos: Rudolf Purtillo

His Majesty's Government fully supports and echoes the Korean Government's efforts in developing a strategy to transform the Korean Peninsula from an land of conflicts and disputes into a land of peace and prosperity."

Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat, the Minister of Development, stated this, and conveyed his warmest congratulations on behalf of His Majesty's Government to the Republic of Korea on their 58th Anniversary of the National Foundation Day during a gala dinner last night at the JPCC Polo Club.

In his speech, Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Ahmad said both countries have been able to work closely in promoting regional and international co-operation through important forums such as Asean + 3, ARF and ASEM'.

He also noted the Republic of Korea places much emphasis on the relationship with Asean member countries.

"As such, the relations have broadened and strengthened since the establishment of the Dialogue Partnership, which hopefully will continue as it provides a solid base for both countries to work together in overcoming the many challenges ahead and take advantage of the many currently existing opportunities," the Minister of Development said.

Meanwhile, Korean Ambassador Kim Woong-Nam highlighted that bilateral relations between the two countries since 1984 - when formal diplomatic ties were established - His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and His Majesty's Government have always rendered invaluable support for Korea whenever Korea faces great difficulties.

It is expected, according to the Korean Ambassador, that the human, business and cultural exchange between both countries will be further strengthened with the Aviation Agreement and with the conclusion of the Investment Protection Agreement and Cultural Agreement (which are still in the middle of the negotiation process).

Besides touching on the strong bilateral relationship between both countries, the Korean Ambassador also brought up the North Korean nuclear issue, which he regards "is closely related to the regional stability in Northeast Asia and to the maintenance of world's nuclear non-proliferation regime".

But he puts great emphasis that the issue "directly affects the peace and stability on the Korean peninsula." He explained that countries in the Northeast Asian region - the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the United States - differ from one another in political, economic and cultural terms and have distinct values.

"The Korean government firmly opposes to any nuclear weapons development programme by North Korea, and is fully committed to a peaceful resolution of the issue," the Korean Ambassador added.

"The new government's Policy for Peace and Prosperity is aiming at balanced emphasis on between security and economy, or between peace and prosperity.

"This realisation will resolve a major security concern in Northeast Asia and eventually contribute to the promotion of peace and common prosperity in East Asian as a whole," he concluded.

The highlight of last night's event was the cutting of the cake by both Dato Seri Setia Dr. Hj Ahmad and Kim Woong-Nam, symbolising the Republic of Korea 58th Anniversary National Foundation Day.

Courtesy of Sunday Bulletin