Thai-Korean experts explore ties

The conference will examine the whole gamut of Thai-Korean relations both from historical and contemporary perspectives. Prospects and problems related to diplomacy, language, culture, Thai-Korea studies as well as the recent rise of Korean wave in Thailand will be discussed by these experts.

In his keynote speech, Korean ambassador  Han Tan Kyu hailed the role of Thailand as the Asean chair, which will convene a series of summits focusing on the cooperation in East Asia. As democracies in Asia, the envoy reiterated that the two countries' democratic strengthen will contribute to regional peace and prosperity and the promotion of well beings.

The envoy also revealed that South Korean President Lee Myung-bak would pay an official visit to Thailand in December ahead of the Asean summit. He pointed out that the president spent a few years supervising Korea's first oversea development project in Songkla during the 1960s.

Currently, approximately 25,000 Koreans are living in Thailand while more than one million Korean tourists visit Thailand each year. More than 45,000 Thai nationals are living in Korea.

Two-way trade last year amounted to US$8.3 billion and expected to exceed US$10billion by the end of this year. Major trading items include electric, steel and chemical products and machinery.

According to Thai-language instructor, Prof Kim Hong-koo, Thai language is one of the most popular Southeast Asian languages in Korea. More than 250 Korean students take up classes offered in three national institutions including Busan University of Foreign Studies, and Seoul-based Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and its sister campus.

Kim, who serves as president of Korean Association of Thai Studies, said that Thai studies in Korea are multi-disciplinary approaches with all aspects of Thailand being studies.

Dr. Yoon Jin Pyo of Sungshin Women's University recommended that one of the most effective ways to promote Thai-Korean cooperation is in the area of human security. He believed that it can be attained through cooperation in regional governance and civil society organizations.