Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha held discussions with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on a cooperative partnership strategy, focusing on green economy, future industries and health in the post-Covid-19 era.

In a telephone conversation on May 28, the two leaders discussed continuing the momentum of the Thailand-South Korea Strategic Partnership and advancing bilateral cooperation, a statement issued by the Thai foreign ministry said.

Prayut also expressed his support for South Korea as host of the Second Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 or the Second P4G Summit, which the Thai prime minister will attend via live videoconference on May 31.

Prayut highlighted promoting cooperation through linking of the two countries’ corresponding national development strategies, including with South Korea’s New Southern Policy and New Southern Policy Plus.

He proposed strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership in the post-Covid-19 era in three key areas, or three Partnerships (3Ps), namely, for green economy, future industries and health, the foreign ministry statement said.

Prayut emphasised the importance of developing a green economy partnership by building upon the Thai government’s implementation of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model to achieve balanced and sustainable growth. Links could be identified between the BCG model and South Korea’s Green New Deal.

Both leaders underlined the potential to develop partnership on future industries.

The Thai prime minister invited South Korea to invest in high-tech industries in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and proposed that the Office of EEC and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency work together to push forward for concrete cooperation.

In addition, the two leaders agreed to promote health partnership, including through the early convening of the first bilateral foreign and health ministers’ two-plus-two dialogue on health security and the conclusion of an agreement on health cooperation to pave the way for furthering medical and health cooperation in the future, the statement said.

Both leaders were pleased with close cooperation under sub-regional and regional frameworks. They exchanged views on regional and international issues, including developments in Myanmar and Korean Peninsula.

Prayut also congratulated President Moon on his successful visit to the US, the foreign ministry statement said.

THE NATION (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK