President Chen Shui-bian met with Kim Young-sam, former president of the Republic of Korea, at the Presidential Office on the afternoon of January 24. On behalf of the government and 23 million people of Taiwan, President Chen extended a sincere welcome to Former President Kim, who is visiting Taiwan for the fifth time. He also expressed his appreciation to the former Korean leader for his efforts and contributions over the years in promoting friendship between the two countries.
President Chen noted that this marks the fifth visit to Taiwan by Former President Kim since he left office in July 2001. He said the former president is a good friend to Taiwan and his frequent visits to Taiwan symbolize his support for and encouragement to Taiwan. President Chen said Former President Kim celebrated his 80th birthday on January 11 this year, while the former president's wife celebrated her 80th birthday just two days later on January 13. President Chen congratulated both on reaching this milestone. The president also expressed his congratulations to Former President Kim on the election of Lee Myung-Bak, former mayor of Seoul, as the new president of the nation. Former President Kim was a strong supporter of President-elect Lee during the campaign. He added that he hopes Former President Kim will provide assistance so that a congratulatory delegation from Taiwan will be able to visit South Korea in February.
President Chen especially expressed his appreciation to the former Korean president for lending his support to the establishment of the Global Forum on New Democracies. Former President Kim not only personally attended a preparatory meeting in Taiwan last year, providing many valuable suggestions at the time, but also has offered a large amount of assistance that has paved the way for the successful convening of the Forum. The president said he offers his sincerest gratitude to Former President Kim for the encouragement he has provided in the process of setting up the organization, as well as his decision to visit Taiwan once again. President Chen said he looks forward to personally listening to the valuable experiences that Former President Kim will share with others during the Forum. The president furthermore said the former president was the Republic of Korea's first civilian president and upon leaving office, he was instrumental in paving the way for the successful transfer of power peacefully. President Chen lauded the former president for the enormous contributions he has made to solidifying democracy in his nation. As Taiwan is also a new democracy, there are certainly many things that Taiwan can learn from Former President Kim with regards to his experience in leading his own nation to a stronger democracy, President Chen said.
President Chen said he is pleased by the close economic and commercial relations between the two countries. In 2006, he said, bilateral trade exceeded US$22.1 billion, with South Korea enjoying a trade surplus of US$7.8 billion. South Korea is Taiwan's fourth largest trading partner and fourth largest source of imports. Meanwhile, it is Taiwan's fifth largest export market. Taiwan's trade deficit with South Korea is the third largest among its trading partners. The president said he hopes that both countries will continue to develop a substantive and friendly relationship based on the existing foundation.
Former President Kim and his delegation were accompanied to the Presidential Office by Korean Mission in Taipei Representative Oh Sangsik and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Elizabeth Y. F. Chu. Also in attendance at the meeting was Deputy Secretary-General to the President Lin Chia-lung.