Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea and Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith have agreed to elevate their bilateral ties to a comprehensive partnership while emphasizing cooperation on transnational crimes during summit talks, as announced by Lee's office.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the summit led to the signing of mutual legal assistance and extradition treaties, laying the groundwork for cross-border criminal justice cooperation to address issues such as online scams. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung conveyed that President Lee highlighted the importance of close cooperation between the two countries to tackle transnational crimes, expecting the treaties to establish a proactive framework for collaboration.
The leaders also decided to establish a hotline between the Korean Embassy in Laos and Lao police and agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for future police cooperation. Additionally, an MOU was signed to renew the terms for the dispatch of Laotian workers to South Korea under a work permit system, with approximately 16,000 Lao nationals currently employed in South Korea.
Marking 30 years since the reestablishment of diplomatic ties, Lee and Thongloun agreed to elevate relations to a comprehensive partnership. South Korea initially established diplomatic relations with Laos in 1974, which were severed the following year but restored in 1995. President Lee emphasized South Korea's role as a key partner in Laos' development cooperation and investment, underscoring Laos' importance in Seoul's engagement with ASEAN and Mekong River nations.
President Lee expressed his hope for expanding cooperation to deliver tangible benefits for both nations. He noted Korean companies' interest in participating in the expansion of Luang Prabang International Airport and in projects related to water management and climate change responses. Furthermore, Lee expressed interest in collaborating on critical mineral supply chains and infrastructure projects as Laos aims to become a regional transportation and logistics hub.
President Thongloun acknowledged Laos' status as one of the world's least-developed countries and expressed hope for continued support from South Korea to strengthen its economy. The leaders also discussed enhancing coordination on security issues on the Korean Peninsula and South Korea's partnership with ASEAN. President Lee shared his government's efforts towards North Korea's denuclearization and sought Laos' support and cooperation.
President Thongloun, who values Seoul's efforts to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, pledged to play a constructive role. His visit follows his recent trip to Pyongyang, where he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed to strengthen bilateral ties during the 80th founding anniversary of North Korea's ruling party.