HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam received in audience President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in and spouse Kim Jung-sook and delegation yesterday.
Their Majesties welcomed the arrival of the President of the Republic of Korea and spouse at the Istana Nurul Iman.
Their Majesties, together with President of the Republic of Korea and spouse, received the salute of honour, accompanied with the national anthems of both countries and a 21-gun salute.
The two leaders inspected the guard of honour mounted by members of the Royal Brunei Land Force.
The President of the Republic of Korea and spouse were introduced to members of the royal family, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Cabinet Ministers, members of the Privy Council, deputy ministers, senior officers and heads of foreign diplomatic missions as well as their spouses.
Their Majesties were introduced to members of the delegation of the President of the Republic of Korea.
An audience ceremony was held at Cheradi Laila Kenchana. Also present at the ceremony were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.
Accompanying the President of the Republic of Korea and spouse were Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mee, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yunmo, Chief of Staff for Policy to the President Kim Soo Hyun, and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam Yoon Hyun-bong.
Also in attendance was Minister of Home Affairs as Minister-in-Attendance Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong.
His Majesty also held a Bilateral Meeting with the President of the Republic of Korea and delegation at Baitul Mesyuarah.
His Majesty in a titah said the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Korea is important as it marks the 35th anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Brunei and the Republic of Korea, and also as Brunei takes on the role of country coordinator for ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations.
His Majesty touched on cooperation in several areas including trade and investment; connectivity; and people-to-people exchanges which have expanded since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Towards diversifying the country’s economy, His Majesty welcomed initiatives to enhance cooperation in strategic areas including capacity building; technology; and business development for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
In the titah, His Majesty expressed appreciation for the contributions from Korean companies in infrastructure development; tourism; energy; ICT; and people-to-people exchanges, specifically collaboration between academic institutions that are important to prepare Brunei to meet the challenges presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Both leaders underscored the importance of achieving harmony between Brunei Vision 2035 and the New Southern Policy of the Republic of Korea, thereby generating a synergy for the strengthening of bilateral ties in the years ahead.
On the topic of ASEAN, the President of the Republic of Korea emphasised the Republic of Korea’s continued commitment to cooperate with ASEAN which will be carried out through prioritising the 3Ps – People, Prosperity, and Peace.
His Majesty expressed appreciation for the commitment and contributions of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN-led processes. Brunei is pleased to be Country Coordinator for ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations for 2018-2021, and welcomes the Commemorative Summit to mark the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations.
His Majesty, together with the President of the Republic of Korea, also witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the Government of His Majesty and the Government of the Republic of Korea.
Signing the MoU on the Investment Promotion Cooperation on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, while, on behalf of the Republic of Korea was Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Sung Yunmo.
Signing the MoU on the Recognition of Korean Intellectual Property Office as an International Searching Authority and International Preliminary Examining Authority Under the Patent Cooperation Treaty for the Brunei Darussalam Intellectual Property Office on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Mohd Hussein, while, on behalf of the Republic of Korea was Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office Park Won-Joo.
Signing the MoU on the Scientific and Technological Cooperation on behalf of the Government of His Majesty was Deputy Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Matsatejo bin Sokiaw, while, on behalf of the Republic of Korea was Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam Yoon Hyun-bong.
Also present to witness the signing ceremony was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.
Spouse of the President of the Republic of Korea Kim Jung-sook held a separate programme with Her Majesty which began with a visit inside the grounds of Istana Nurul Iman and followed by an audience ceremony.
Also attending were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.
The President of the Republic of Korea and spouse as well as delegation are in the country for three-day State Visit.