Today, we celebrate the 4,333rd anniversary of the founding of Gojosun, the earliest kingdom on the Korean peninsula in 2333 BC.
I would like to express my love and respect for the Hong Kong people and their Korean compatriots residing here.
Despite last year's buoyant growth of 8.8 per cent, the Korean economy is experiencing a slowdown because of the stagnant economy of major trading partners like the United States, Japan and the European Union.
Through the reform efforts of the past three-and-a-half years, South Korea has succeeded in overcoming the foreign exchange crisis and has laid a foundation for making a first-rate economy in the 21st century in the field of technology and information.
In the meantime, North-South Korean relations have begun to move towards co-operation and peaceful co-existence since the historic North-South Summit Meeting in Pyongyang last year.
I believe that the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems' after the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty will inspire a framework for future economic co-operation on the Korean peninsula.
South Korea and Hong Kong have been continuously promoting their relationship in many substantive areas such as economy, trade, culture and tourism.
