Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung stated South Korea's pioneering spirit resembles Mongolia's nomadic spirit.
- Lee made the remarks during a state visit to Mongolia, meeting with South Koreans in Ulaanbaatar.
- He suggested this shared trait enhances bilateral friendship and understanding.
- The Korean president visited a memorial museum for independence fighter Lee Tae-joon.
- Lee pledged to advance South Korea-Mongolia relations, calling for expanded cooperation.
President Lee Jae Myung stated on Friday that South Korea's pioneering spirit shares similarities with Mongolia's nomadic spirit, a resemblance he believes strengthens bilateral friendship and understanding. Lee made these comments during a lunch meeting with South Koreans in Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian capital, as part of his three-day state visit.
Lee highlighted that the shared dispositions between the two nations are a key factor in their close relationship. He described Mongolia's nomadic spirit of exploring new paths across the steppe and South Korea's unique pioneering spirit as significant links that facilitate mutual comprehension. The president also pointed to the vibrant Korean community in Ulaanbaatar, known by the nickname 'Mongtan,' as a testament to the strong ties and the role South Koreans have played in bridging the two countries.
He expressed confidence that based on these achievements, South Korea and Mongolia can usher in a new era as strategic partners and continue cooperation across various sectors. Lee echoed the Mongolian president's sentiment that South Korea is a vital partner among Mongolia's 'third neighbors,' anticipating a deepening of bilateral cooperation.
Earlier in the day, President Lee visited a memorial museum dedicated to Lee Tae-joon, a Korean independence activist and physician honored by Mongolia for his medical services. Lee observed a moment of silence at a mock tomb of Lee, whose actual burial site is unknown, and toured the institution detailing the independence fighter's life. In the museum's guest book, Lee pledged to carry forward the spirit of Lee Tae-joon into a prosperous future for South Korea-Mongolia relations.