Assures Ambassador Thura of Myanmar at Armed Forces Day reception

Ambassador Thura Tet Oo Maung of the Union of Myanmar in Seoul said, “Myanmar attaches high importance to promoting friendly ties with Republic of Korea which has considerable potential for successful cooperation with Maynmar in the various spheres.” Speaking at a reception Ambassador Thura and his Defense Attache Colonel Myint Thein of Maynmar at the Korean Army Club in Seoul on March 28, 2017 in celebration of the 72nd Armed Forces Day of their country, Ambassador Thura stated, “In fact, recently a Myanmar military delegation led by Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice Senior General Soe Win paid a visit to the Defence Expo Korea 2016 and,

in reciprocation, General Jang Jun-Gyu , Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Army, and his delegation paid a visit to Myanmar, which also reflects that Myanmar and Korea closely bond with each other in a wide range of areas not only in the government, parliament, economic, social and culture but also in the close relations of military cooperation.”

Ambassadors Thura Thet Oo Maung of Myanmar, Khamsouay Keodalavong of Laos, Rohana Ramli of Malaysia and Dato Mohd Rosli Sabtu of Brunei Darussalam (8th to 11th from left, front row, respectively) pose with Defense Attache Colonel Myint Thein of Myanmar (7th from left, front row) and the defense attaches of many other countries at a reception hosted in celebration of the Armed Forces Day of Myanmar at the Korean Army Club in Seoul on March 28, 2016.

Ambassador Thusa then added, “In the economic front, according to statistics, Korea stands the sixth largest investor country in Myanmar and overall cooperation between the two countries improve year by year.” (See excerpts from the speech at the end of this report.)

The Myanmar Armed Forces Day reception was attended by the ambassadors of a number of countries and other senior diplomats as well as the defense attaches of many countries diplomatically represented in Korea. They included Ambassadors Khamsouay, Rohana Ramli of Malaysia and Dato Mohd Rosli Sabtu Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam.

From the Korean side came Korea Defense Intelligence Agency Deputy Director Brigadier General Kim Jae Suk, Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media (publisher of 3 English and 2 Korean news media outlets) and other civic figures and senior military officers.

The defense attaches from the different embassies in attendance were very large in number and represented many different countries of the world, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Madam Nang Lao Ngin, spouse of the ambassador of Myanmar (fourth from left, front row), poses with the spouses of other ambassadors and senior defense attaches of the different countries of the world attending the Armed Forces Day reception.

Excerpts from the speech of Ambassador Thusa:

Your Excellencies, Deputy Director of foreign Intelligence of the Korea Defense Intelligence Agency Brigadier General Kim Jae Suk, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Military Attaches, Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First of all, on behalf of the Government and people of Myanmar, may I extend our warm welcome to Your Excellency and member of diplomatic corps, representatives of Military, Naval and Air attaches in here.

It is a great honor and privilege for me to have this opportunity to host an armed forces day reception of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar during my capacity as an Ambassador of Myanmar to Republic of Korea.

Today, we gather in here in order to celebrate on 72nd armed forces day of the Myanmar. Taking this opportunity, I would like to brief about armed forces day on this auspicious occasion.

From Right: Ambassador Thura Thet Oo Maung of Myanmar speaks at the Armed Forces Day reception of Myanmar, Military, Naval & Air Attache Colonel Myint Thein of Myanmar speaks at the reception.

In fact, this auspicious day was born along with the independence struggle of Myanmar and fascist invaders were expelled from Myanmar for her independence by Myanmar Defense Services, Myanmar Army, hand in hand with all ethnic people on 27th of March, 1945. So, the day that proved and highlighted collaborated efforts of the people and Army.

Since becoming a member of United Nations, Myanmar has always adhered to the founding principles of the United Nations and actively contribute towards the maintenance of international peace and security.

Myanmar attaches great importance to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Also being a dedicated State Party of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon- Free Zone Treaty which aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, Myanmar is working vigorously towards a world free of nuclear weapons. In this regard, Myanmar wishes to be the Korean Peninsula as the stable and peaceful nuclear free zone.

The relationship between Myanmar and the Republic of Korea has lasted more than 40 years since the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Myanmar and the Republic of Korea in 1975. Hence, our bilateral relations can be termed as those of relatives rather than the relationship between friends.

One of the most crucial and fundamental principles of our Foreign Policy is to maintain friendly relations with all countries at the world including our neighbors.

Myanmar attaches high importance to promoting friendly ties with Republic of Korea which has considerable potential for successful cooperation in the various spheres.

Ambassador Thura Thet Oo Maung of Myanmar, second from left, front row, with Korean VIP guests attending the Armed Forces Day celebration of Myanmar.

In fact recently, Myanmar military delegation led by Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice Senior General Soe Win paid a visit to Defense Expo Korea 2016. In reciprocal, General Jang Jun-Gyu , Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Army and delegation paid a visit to Myanmar.

It also reflects that Myanmar and Republic of Korea closely bond with in the wide area not only government, parliament, economic, social, culture and also friendly relation with military cooperation.

In the economic front, according to statistic, Republic of Korea stands six largest investor country in Myanmar and overall cooperation between the two countries improve year by year.

I would like to state my sincere appreciation to the Republic of Korea for Military Education course for Myanmar army personnel and its kind support and assistance extended to Myanmar in the areas of education, health and human resources development as well as humanitarian assistance.

In conclusion, I would like to express my firm belief that the existing friendly relation between Myanmar and Republic of Korea will continue to grow the coming years for the mutual interest of our two countries and people.

From right: Defesnse Attache Colonel Myient Thein of Myanmar, Vice Chairman Kim Seho of the Korean Manufacturing of the World Trade Association and Chairman Lee Kunsik of the MCSK

Among the Korean guests in attendnace at the reception were Chairman Min Kushik of the KMWA (Korean Manufacturing of the World Trade Association) and Vice Chairman Kim Seho of the Assoication. The KMWA leaders provided various gifts for the reception which were presented to the guests attending the celebration.

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