OECD Secretary-General Jose Angel Gurria (left) is greeted by President Park Geun-hye at Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 26.
President Park Geun-hye exchanged opinions on how to boost cooperation between Korea and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with OECD Secretary-General Jose Angel Gurria in Seoul on Oct. 26.
President Park valued the 20th anniversary of Korea joining the OECD by saying that, “Joining the OECD served as an important stepping stone for Korea to make advancements toward becoming an advanced and open economy.”
She told the OECD head that, ”Korea has made constructive contributions to the OECD, and vice versa, especially in terms of development cooperation, science, technology and the environment.”
“In the future, we hope to expand and bolster this mutually beneficial partnership,” said the president.
The OECD secretary-general responded by saying that, “In the future, the OECD will continue to contribute to the development of Korea, an exemplary OECD member that has won wide support within the OECD, by providing accurate economic advice.”
He explained to President Park the OECD’s policy research reports and research trends on structural reform, boosting labor productivity, and the issue of an aging society, all of which must be addressed in order to improve Korea’s overall economic soundness.
OECD Secretary-General Jose Angel Gurria (left) and President Park Geun-hye talk about ways to strengthen cooperation between Korea and the OECD, at Cheong Wa Dae on Oct. 26.
President Park and the OECD secretary-general shared the common understanding that Korea and the OECD have potential for greater cooperation, especially in terms of global issues such as the U.N.’s sustainable development goals and responses to climate change.
In regard to the education sector, in particular, President Park told the OECD head that, “Nothing is more important than education for future-oriented growth.” She told him about the six educational reform strategies of the Korean government, such as an employment-oriented school entrance system, studying and working together at the same time, and incubating a talented workforce tailored for society’s exact demands.
In regard to climate change, President Park said that, “Korea and the OECD need to consider introducing Korea’s renewable energy strategies, such as self-sufficient energy islands and environment-friendly energy towns, in Africa,” mentioning the recent fifth Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Ministerial Conference that was held in Seoul.
President Park told Secretary-General Gurria that, “The New Community Movement, or Saemaul Undong, is becoming an international movement designed to overcome global poverty, and it’s becoming a sustainable community development model for Asia, Africa and Central and South America.”
Finally, she urged the OECD head by saying, “Korea and the OECD should cooperate so that the research conducted jointly by Korea and the OECD could be applied to actual sites and so that it could spread to wider parts of the international community.”
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Cheong Wa Dae
arete@korea.kr
