Taiwan has maintained an amiable relationship with South Korea over the past few years. In addition to the restoration of the two countries' mutual direct flights, the fact that Taiwan has set up a representative office in Pusan, South Korea has also made a remarkable stride in Taiwan-Korean relations.
As South Korea is Taiwan's fifth largest trade partner in the world and enjoys a US$7.6 billion trade surplus, the president asked the guests to urge the Korean government to sign a free trade agreement with Taiwan soon in the future, in order to further facilitate mutual trade development and narrow trade deficit.
Noticing that most of the guests belonged to a health committee in the congress, the president also asked the guests to urge the Korean government to render its support for Taiwan's bid to become an observer at the World Health Assembly.
The Uri Party won the 2004 election and, for the first time in the past 16 years, won a dominant majority in the Korean congress. The president told the guests that he would push his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to learn the invaluable experience from the Uri Party, which would help to solve the current impasses faced by the ruling DPP at the Legislative Yuan.
Whereas the guests praised Director Ang Lee's achievement in filming, the president disclosed a secret to the guests that Director Ang Lee was his underclassman when he was in high school. At the same time, referring to the fact that the Korean entertainment industry has swept the whole Asia, the president told the guests that it is an exemplary success case Taiwan should learn from.
To conclude the meeting, President Chen and the guests agreed that the two countries should have more exchanges on the congressional and partisan levels. Lastly, the president welcomed them to visit Taiwan any time at their convenience in the future.