Monday, 28 December 2009 12:10
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Major Facts
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Statistics:
Trade: $360 million in 2008 8th largest trading partner
Investment: US$ 2.658 billion (July 2010)
37 projects
Aid: 103,002,000 USD (grants 18,302,000 USD, loans 84,700,000
USD)
Grant aid (1991-2008): $24.1 million
Loan aid (1993-2008): $84.7 million
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Background
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Diplomatic relations since: 16 May 1975
Burma Policy: Economic engagement
Major issues:
- Oil and gas
- Trade and investment
Burma and South Korea have enjoyed relatively close cooperative relations in the areas of cultural, economic and technical cooperation, but with little or no references to political issues. Today it is Burma’s 8th largest trading partner and provides significant amount of technical assistance. Major Korean Firms like Daewoo Co Ltd have made inroads into the Burmese market – notably in the oil and gas sector. High-level visits have been mainly contained to business and technical representatives since the assassination attempt on the South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan in Rangoon 1983 which killed 18 officials in his delegation (including the deputy Prime Minister, and 3 ministers). |
| Statements |
2 June 2010 - South Korean President Lee Myung-bak urged Burma to take steps to promote democracy during a meeting with prime minister Gen Thein Sein on the sidelines of a two-day summit between South Korea and leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
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| Major Deals and Cooperation |
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ASEAN+3, ASEM, APEC
11-27 May 2010 - A Burmese delegation participated in Public Sector Management Programme held in the South Korea
28 Sept 2010 - Myanmar-Korea Economic Forum jointly organized by Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development and the Korean Embassy, was held in conjunction with paperreading session at Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw Hotel Zone
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High Level Visits
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| 8 May 2009 |
Two South Korean legislators visit Burma to convey President Lee Myung Bak’s message and to invite representatives from the military junta for the forthcoming meeting between South Korea and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) |
| May 1999 |
U Win Aung visit Foreign Minister (Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade invited), Foreign Minister hold talks |
| Nov 1995 |
U Ohn Gyaw Foreign Minister visited South Korea
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| June 1995 |
Asia-Pacific director of Foreign Affairs visited Burma
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| Aug 1995 |
Chief of Planning and Management of Foreign Affairs (Foreign Minister Courier) visited Burma
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April 2002
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Kim Tae-Minister of Information and Communication visited Burma to attend the ICT Industry Policy Forum |
June 2005
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Assistant Foreign secretary visited Burma for the ASEAN dialogue 1 |
| 8 May 2009 |
Two South Korean legislators visit Burma to convey President Lee Myung Bak’s message and to invite representatives from the military junta for the forthcoming meeting between South Korea and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). |
| 22 Mar 2010 |
Deputy Minister for Health Dr Paing Soe met with visiting Dr In Kown Kim of Wilson Leprosy Centre and Rehabilitation Hospital from the Republic of Korea. They discussed cooperation and technical exchange matters in health sector. |
| 9 June 2010 |
A five-member Korean delegation composed of legislators of the ruling Grand National Party visited Burma. An agreement to jointly exploit with the Burmese government two more gas blocks was signed. The South Korean government will also help Burma train agricultural experts as part of its Seamaul Undong Set Model for Foreign Countries Program, according to the Burmese agricultural authorities |
| 21 June 2010 |
The Burmese delegation led by Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation U Htay Oo on a visit to the Republic of Korea met Commissioner Mr Dong Cho Lee of Global Seamaeul Undong, Seamaeul Undong Centre in Seoul, ROK and discussed matters relating to agriculture and rural development |
| 7 July 2010 |
Vice-Presidents, CEC Members and Executives of Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry met Secretary Mr. Lee Ileui-Tae of National Agricultural Production Management Division under the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea and party at UMFCCI Office. They discussed provision of information and technology assistance to Burma from ROK. |
| 19 Aug 2010 |
South Korean Vice foreign minister Shin Kak-soo paying a four day visit Burma and will raise the issue of controversial military ties between Burma and North Korea, as well as encourage the government to ensure that elections slated for 7 November this year are open |
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