‘Tigers’ note ties on Singapore’s National Day
Ambassador to Korea Peter Tan, third from right, Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin, fourth from right, and Deputy Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug, second from right, celebrate Singapore’s 48th National Day. By Park Sang-moon
The event started with the screening of a slide show featuring cultural and economic exchanges between the two nations.
Tan said that the collection of images showed how the two countries have worked together.
“The video montage that we have been playing is a showcase of the excellent relations between Singapore and Korea,” he said.
“It also shows the many aspects of the engagement with our friends in Korea - be it over formal meetings or over a golf game - which is commonly known as a ‘green meeting’ or even over noraebang,” the ambassador added. “The bonds and friendship developed over these exchanges have certainly contributed to closer relations between our two countries.”
The festivities, which celebrated the 48th anniversary of Singapore’s independence from Malaysia, were in the form of a reception that was attended by a number of Korean political leaders, including National Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, and business executives.
The Singapore ambassador also highlighted his country’s diplomatic understanding.
“Tonight is not only about Singapore’s National Day,” he said. “It is about Singapore’s excellent relations with Korea. It is about what we have achieved working together. It is also about the embassy’s ties with everyone here tonight.”
The ambassador’s welcoming remarks were followed by a speech by the Korean defense minister, who echoed the ambassador’s satisfaction with Korea-Singapore ties and also praised the achievements of the fellow “Asian tiger.”
“Singapore is assessed by many global institutions as having the top national competitiveness and anti-corruption indexes and is widely regarded as a great country for business. According to Koreans living there, modern-day Singapore is the result of efficient government, clean administration and transparent law and policies,” the minister said.
He continued, “I attended on several occasions the Asia Security Summit held at the Shangri-La [hotel], and each time I witnessed the true depth of Singapore, which has surely solidified its place as a mecca of peace in Asia and the world.”
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Seoul in March 2012 to participate in the Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.
Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan visited the Yeosu Expo in the same year, while Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam visited Korea in 2012.
BY PARK EUN-JEE [ejpark@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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