President Ma Ying-jeou met with a delegation of National Assemblymen from the Republic of Korea's ruling Grand National Party on the afternoon of May 5 at the Presidential Office. The president welcomed the delegation, which is being led by Representative Hong Joon-Pyo.
The president first expressed his condolences to the government and people of Korea with regards to the incident involving the explosion and sinking of the Korean naval frigate "Cheonan" in April. The president commented that he was overseas when the incident occurred and was extremely surprised upon getting word of the event. President Ma said he hopes that the incident will be resolved as soon as possible.
President Ma noted that relations between the ROC and the ROK have traditionally been quite close. Korea is Taiwan's fifth largest trading partner, while Taiwan is Korea's seventh largest, he said. The two countries seven years ago signed a visa waiver agreement under which the nationals of each country enjoy visa-free travel to the other. Consequently, the number of Taiwan tourists to Korea is quite large, he said. Meanwhile, the number of Koreans visiting Taiwan has begun to increase over the past few years, he remarked. The president commented that Taiwan's National Chengchi University on May 1 established its Center for Korean Studies. Last year, he said, Korea University created a Taiwan Studies Center. The establishment of these institutions is enabling each nation to carry out more in-depth research into the other, which the president said he is delighted to see.
President Ma furthermore said that over 100 universities in both Taiwan and Korea have formed sister school relationship with each other. In fact, he said, Korea accounts for the highest number of sister school relationships of any nation among Taiwan universities, adding that this is especially meaningful.
The president stated that Representative Hong originally served as a prosecutor. In the course of working in that capacity, he made quite a name for himself by uncovering criminals associated with mob organizations. The work he carried out was even adapted into a popular television series, he said. President Ma expressed his admiration of Representative Hong in this regard. He said that he himself in the past served as Justice Minister, and has a close relationship with many prosecutors here. The president said he is very much aware of the hard work that prosecutors carry out and the expectations placed on them by society.
President Ma also said that he would like to see further development of relations between the two countries. He explained to the guests that direct flights will commence between Taipei's Songshan Airport and Tokyo's Haneda Airport in October. In addition, direct flights will also be inaugurated with Shanghai's Hongqiao Airport. The president pointed out that both Haneda and Hongqiao are inner city airports. However, both will begin to feature international flights. He said that he hopes in the future direct charter flights will be commenced between inner city airports in Taipei and Seoul. If this is realized, it will save time and the expense of having to get to international airports located outside of Seoul and Taipei, he said. The president said he hopes that the visitors will help to promote this vision after they return to Korea.
In addition to Representative Hong, other members of the delegation included Representative You Jung-Hyun, Representative Sohn Beom-Kyu, Representative Lee Bum-Rae, Representative Hwang Young-Cheul, Representative Lee Jong-Heuk, and Pukyong National University Vice President Yoon Dong Tae. The delegation of Korean parliamentarians was accompanied to the Presidential Office in the afternoon by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin to meet President Ma. Also in attendance was National Security Council Advisor Dr. Philip Y. M. Yang.