Lee welcomes East Timor President Horta's visit to S. Korea ahead of summit

President Lee Jae Myung warmly welcomed East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta's inaugural visit to South Korea on Thursday, anticipating a strengthened partnership as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year. Horta's trip, spanning Thursday to Saturday, marks the first official visit by a leader from East Timor to South Korea since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 2002.

During his stay, Lee and Ramos-Horta will convene on Friday for a summit aimed at identifying avenues to bolster cooperation across various domains, including diplomacy, security, intellectual property, climate change, and cultural exchanges. The South Korean president emphasized the shared values of peace and democracy that underpin the enduring friendship between the two nations, highlighting how their partnership has flourished through collaborative efforts in economic and social development.

Lee expressed his sincere welcome to Ramos-Horta, stating his hope that the visit would usher in new possibilities to deepen substantive cooperation in diplomacy, security, the economy, and socio-cultural spheres. As they look forward to the landmark anniversary next year, Lee expressed optimism that this visit would serve as another significant milestone in their enduring friendship, setting the stage for an even more robust partnership in the years to come.