Speaker receives Thai parliamentary leader

Speaker Kang Chang-hee received the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand, Somsak Kiatsuranont, visiting the Republic of Korea at the invitation of the National Assembly, on May 8. During the meeting, they shared opinions about how to strengthen the long-standing friendship and economic cooperation between the two countries. 

Speaker Kang said, “It has been 60 years since the ceasefire of the Korean War. Korea owes Thailand a debt of gratitude for sacrifice and devotion made by its troops dispatched during the war. We will never forget the contributions that helped Korea become a country as advanced as we are today.” 

He also expressed his admiration for the remarkable development in politics, economy and culture that both countries have achieved over the past half a century. “I hope that Korean companies will take part in construction of infrastructure in Thailand including water resource management and a high-speed railroad, further tightening mutual cooperation between the two countries,” he added. 

Speaker Somsak remarked, “It is expected that the global economy will pivot on Asia from now on, and in particular, Thailand is expected to make a huge contribution considering its geographical advantage. When Korea’s high technology and Thailand’s enormous potential are put together, I believe, we will be able to forge a win-win relationship that will help us take a big step forward.” He also asked for the National Assembly’s support for bigger investment in Thailand in various fields including the auto industry. 

It was the second time this year for the two parliamentary leaders to meet. Last January, Speaker Kang paid an official visit to Thailand, and had in-depth talks with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Speaker Somsak. 

Korea normalized diplomatic ties with Thailand in October 1958. Thailand has been a traditional ally, who dispatched troops during the Korean War even before the establishment of the diplomatic relations, and has been the third most visited country by Korean people. The mutual trade volume surpassed ＄10 billion in 2008, and hit a record high of ＄13.9 billion in 2011. 

After the talks, the two speakers had dinner together at the official residence of Speaker Kang in Seoul. 

Attending the meeting were Reps. Lee Han-sung (SP), Lee Jasmine (SP), Hwang Ju-hong (DP), Deputy Secretary-General for Administrative Affairs Lee Byeong-gil, Chief of Staff to Speaker Kim Yeon-gwang and Spokesman Bae Seong-rye. Accompanying the Thai speaker included Deputy Ambassador to Korea Phasana Puthikampol, Thailand-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group (TKPFG) President Nilawan Petcharaburanin, TKPFG Vice President Nuntana Timsuwan, TKPFG Executive member Jaruphong Chenaphun, and House members Doungkhae Unnopporn and Suntharee Chaiwirattana.