1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, who is visiting Myanmar to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), attended the opening ceremony of the “Myanmar Laboratory for Research on Communicable Diseases” in Yangon on August 11.
o The “Myanmar Laboratory for Research on Communicable Diseases” was established under an ODA project, where the Foreign Ministry injected a total of 3 million dollars from 2011 to 2014 through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The Laboratory will lead efforts to diagnose and research into treatment of three major infectious diseases in Myanmar – malaria, tuberculosis and hepatitis.
2. In his congratulatory remarks, Foreign Minister Yun hoped that the Laboratory will contribute to improving conditions in Myanmar’s healthcare and medical sector and achieving sustainable growth of the sector. Minister Yun also announced his plans to provide active support so that the ROK government’s ODA projects in Myanmar can be carried out smoothly.
o Participants from the Myanmarese side included Minister of Health Than Aung and the Minister of the Yangon Region Government. They expressed their appreciation for the ROK government’s support.
3. In addition to the aforementioned project, the ROK government, in a bid to help promote sustainable development in Myanmar, which announced its reform and opening-up policies in 2011, is conducting a total of 14 grant aid projects through the KOICA as of 2014, including a project for the establishment of the Myanmar Development Institute (MDI) and a comprehensive agricultural development project based on the ROK’s Saemaul Undong (new village movement).