[Unofficial Translation]

Prime Minister Rutte, Your Majesty King Willem-Alexander, ladies and gentlemen,

I am truly grateful to you for warmly welcoming my delegation.

It is very meaningful to be the first Korean President to make a state visit to the Netherlands, just a year after Prime Minister Rutte visited Korea on the heels of the G20 Summit in Indonesia. At the same time, I am delighted to reciprocate His Majesty’s state visit to Korea in 2014, marking the 10th anniversary of His Majesty’s coronation this year.

Over the past year and a half since taking office, I have had four summit talks with Prime Minister Rutte, including today, putting forth extraordinary efforts to strengthen our longstanding friendly relations with the Netherlands.

In November last year, Korea and the Netherlands agreed to upgrade our relationship to a strategic partnership, opening a new chapter in the development of our bilateral ties.

And, I believe that all of this – the deliverables to come out of today’s working luncheon, the MOUs on cooperation concluded at the signing ceremony a little while ago and the joint statement to be adopted during this state visit – clearly shows how rapidly our bilateral relations are making progress.

The Netherlands is a true friend who stood by Korea in our most difficult time. Your country sent more than 5,000 young men to fight alongside us in order to safeguard Korea’s freedom during the Korean War. Building upon their noble sacrifices, dedication and a friendship forged in blood, our two countries have developed solid, multi-layered partnership to date.

Last year, our bilateral trade reached an all-time high of US$16 billion, and cooperation is expanding into such future industries as semiconductors, nuclear energy, AI and digital technology.

I believe our bilateral partnership has opened a new horizon by discussing strategic cooperation today in such areas as defense, economic security, supply chains, semiconductors, nuclear power, carbon-free energy and digital technology.

There is a Dutch saying, “God created the earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands.” I believe that the Republic of Korea also has a lot to learn from the Netherlands – a country that has overcome all the adversities to become a world power that spearheads innovation today as well as a global leader in the order of international law and multilateralism.

The Republic of Korea also strives to become a global pivotal state by surmounting tough crises and the devastation of war.

As exemplary market economies and democracies in Europe and Asia, our two countries will work closely together to safeguard the rules-based international order and pursue technological innovation.

Korea and the Netherlands are optimal partners. I am confident that my state visit to the Netherlands will be the starting point for a new surge ahead in our bilateral relations. Both countries will be at the forefront of promoting world peace and prosperity.

Expressing my gratitude to Prime Minister Rutte for his hospitality, I would like to now propose a toast: To the good health and happiness of His Majesty the King, the Prime Minister and the people of the Netherlands and to a bright future for our bilateral relations.

Proost!

Thank you.