Korea, Ireland fortify partnership on 40th anniversary

Economy

Published: 02 Nov. 2023, 14:57

Korea, Ireland fortify partnership on 40th anniversary

Korea Enterprises Federation Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment of Ireland Simon Coveney, fifth and sixth from left in the front row, pose for a photo at the business roundtable meeting held Thursday at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. [KOREA ENTERPRISES FEDERATION]

Korean and Irish businesses on Thursday discussed ways to fortify their partnership, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties at a business roundtable meeting organized by the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF).

A delegation of eighteen businesses from Ireland led by Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment participated the meeting. KEF Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, Chong Kun Dang Chairman Lee Jang-han and Hanwha Aerospace CEO Shin Hyun-woo were among the 11 business leaders from Korea.

“This year marks the 40th anniversary of Korea-Ireland diplomatic relations and we share a commonality where both countries overcame wounds of division and achieved fast economic growth,” Sohn said in a speech during the meeting held at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul.

“In a global society, the two countries are partners that share values of freedom, democracy, constitution and human rights.”

Sohn mentioned Ireland’s business-friendly environment which lowered corporate tax for IT firms like Google, Apple, MS and Meta, making the country home to more than 1,700 multinational companies.

“Ireland’s business-friendly environment and labor reform success case can be a good example for Korea,” said Sohn.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]