Yingluck meets Korea's Lee

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday paid a courtesy call on South Korea's outgoing President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul on the last day of his office. Both praised the long-standing good ties between Thailand and South Korea.

Yingluck, who is on a two-day visit to South Korea, said Lee's visit to Thailand last year was a success, as both countries were taking steps to strengthen mutual ties even further, particularly regarding economic matters. She pointed to a possible free-trade agreement between the two countries and a joint meeting of their economic and trade ministers.

The PM praised the president over his environment-friendly policy of "low carbon, green growth", which was credited for helping create a new growth engine at a time of global economic recession. President Lee said he appreciated the cordial ties between South Korea and Thailand. He thanked Yingluck for bidding him farewell and for her government's warm welcome during his visit to Thailand.

The outgoing Korean leader said that even after he leaves office, he would continue to support bilateral ties between the two countries. He expressed his admiration for the prime minister over the development projects for Thailand, including ones regarding water management.

Lee is being replaced today by Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president.