Written Interview by President Roh Moo-hyun of the Republic of Korea with Rasmei Kampuchea of the Kingdom of Cambodia
ANSWER: It is my great pleasure to be the first Korean President to make a state visit to Cambodia since the two countries reestablished diplomatic ties in 1997.
During this trip, I plan to meet with a number of Cambodian leaders, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, acting Head of State Chea Sim, and President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin, to discuss ways to improve bilateral ties between ROK and Cambodia.
In particular, we will seek ways to expand substantive collaboration between the two countries in economy, trade, construction, culture, and consular affairs. The Cambodian leaders and I also plan to exchange a broad range of ideas on bilateral cooperation in the international arena and the geopolitical climate in East Asia.
QUESTION: What is your assessment of the cooperation between Cambodia and Korea and what is a future perspective on bilateral cooperation? In particular, could you explain economic cooperation in detail?
ANSWER: Bilateral economic cooperation has continued to expand recently, as reflected in a three-fold increase in bilateral trade and six-fold jump in Korean investment in Cambodia since the reestablishment of diplomatic ties in 1997.
I believe that such economic cooperation will be expanded even further, considering the high economic growth of the Cambodian economy as fueled by the potential of the Cambodian people and the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen as well as the continued improvement of the overall trade conditions as shown in the Korea-ASEAN FTA negotiations.
Cambodia is an important partner to Korea in economic cooperation. Korea will continue to actively team up with Cambodia for its economic development, sharing Korea's experiences and technology and expanding loans and grants.
I hope, in particular, collaboration with Cambodia will be further strengthened in the fields of IT, construction, and electric power, all being industries at which Korea excels. I also hope that the speedy finalization of a memorandum of understanding on work permits and the export of manpower will help the industrial workforce of Cambodia acquire skills and expertise under a more advanced environment in Korea and contribute to the economic development of Cambodia upon their return home.
QUESTION: The Republic of Korea stands as one of the advanced countries in the world. What do you think are the most important factors for economic development, based on the Korean experience?
ANSWER: Korea emerged from the ruins of war to grow into nearly the 10th largest economy in the world. Korea now has world-class competitiveness in such key industries as automobiles, electronics, shipbuilding, and steel.
The underlying factors enabling Korea to take the quantum leap despite its relatively deprived conditions, including small land and limited natural resources, are the high zeal for education and diligence of the Korean people as well as the policy of opening its doors. The Korean Government's drive for economic growth and the challenging spirit of entrepreneurs also played a pivotal role.
Although Korea experienced a financial crisis in the late 1990s, it has turned the crisis into an opportunity to improve the business environment and to proceed toward an innovation-driven economy. Korea continues to build the growth engine for the future by placing technological innovation, the nurturing of human resources, and balanced regional development at the top-end of the nation's priorities.
Korea and Cambodia share similar historical experiences in that Cambodia has overcome colonization, war and political turmoil and is now on its way to achieving economic growth. I believe that Korea's experience in development can be of assistance to Cambodia in its economic growth and would welcome an opportunity to share our experience and technology. Indeed, Korea will make a great partner to Cambodia for economic cooperation.
QUESTION: What do you think of the business environment in Cambodia? What should be tackled and improved in order to attract more foreign investors, especially Korean investors, to do business in Cambodia?
ANSWER: I understand that the Cambodian Government has been implementing various FDI inducement policies, including one-stop service for foreign investors and the liberalization of foreign exchange. In particular, Cambodia has been highly praised for its efforts to improve investment conditions, including amending laws in compliance with international norms, since it joined the WTO at the end of 2004.
In recent years, Korean businesses have shown much interest in investments in Cambodia's agricultural processing, construction and tourism sectors. If the Cambodian Government continues to increase incentives for FDI and enhance the overall environment for them by expanding its social infrastructure, I believe it can attract more FDI.
QUESTION: As the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture EXPO 2006 is to open in Siem Reap, can you please elaborate on the significance of this event?
ANSWER: The Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture EXPO 2006 is a global cultural festival co-hosted by the governments of Cambodia and the Gyeongsangbuk-do province of Korea as Cambodia and ROK will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the resumption of bilateral diplomatic relations.
Both Korea and Cambodia have managed to cherish brilliant culture despite numerous invasions by foreign countries. In particular, the state of Siem Reap the Gyeongsangbuk-do province where the EXPO is to be held share a common trait of being a home to a world cultural heritage registered with UNESCO.
The Angkor-Gyeongju EXPO will serve as a great opportunity to further promoting mutual understanding and exchanges between our peoples and to publicize the excellence of our cultural legacies to the international community.
I hope that this cultural festival will be a big success with the participation by many citizens of Cambodia and Korea.
QUESTION: In the global context, what do you think threatens security and stability?
ANSWER: After the demise of the Cold War, the possibility for general war has decreased as democracy and market economy expand and globalization progresses.
However, international terrorism and the expansion of weapons of mass destruction have emerged as major threats to world peace and safety. At the same time, the significance of unconventional threats to security, such as environmental contamination, pandemics and borderless crimes, is also on the rise.
These new types of threats cannot be solved by efforts of individual countries alone, and therefore should be dealt with through joint endeavors of the international community.
With regard to North Korea's nuclear program that is posing a threat to international peace, the Korean Government has consistently urged Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear weapons and program immediately and will continue to closely consult with the international community to resolve this issue.
QUESTION: How do you think the Korean people perceive the Cambodian people? What recommendations do you have so that the relationship between the two peoples will be closer?
ANSWER: The Korean people feel a special affinity to the Cambodian people who share similar historical experiences, and Koreans are awed by the brilliant cultural heritage of Cambodia. I fully trust that, given the great potential of Cambodians, the nation will make much greater achievements in the years to come.
In recent years, the interest Koreans have shown in Cambodia continues to increase. The number of Koreans visiting Cambodia was 20,000 in 2002, which skyrocketed to 210,000 last year, registering a whopping 10-fold jump. In the future, bilateral exchanges will continue to expand in various sectors, including economy and culture.
What is important in the process is that the two nations should endeavor to understand the culture of the other and to accommodate cultural diversity. I sincerely hope that our two nations will become true friends and march forward hand-in-hand for the future of common prosperity and peace.
웹사이트: http://www.president.go.kr
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2008년 8월 6일 17:22
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