Toast Speech by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the State Banquet in Honour of President of The Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung on 2 March 2026 at the Capella Hotel

Your Excellency Lee Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea

Mrs Kim Hea Kyung

Excellencies

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Annyeonghashimnikka and a very warm welcome to President Lee and Mrs Kim. My wife and I are delighted to host you on your first State Visit to Southeast Asia.  

Last year, Singapore and the ROK marked 50 years of diplomatic ties. It has been a momentous journey, considering the nascent stage of development that both countries were at in 1975, and what we have become.

On the surface, Singapore and South Korea are separated by geography, history, and culture. But in other, fundamental respects, the resemblances run deep.

First, we both recognised early that our destiny lay in the unlocking, and maximising, the potential of our people. Education and skills development have been central to our wellbeing.

Second, we turned outward: integrating our economies in global markets, and establishing ourselves as hubs for trade and investment.

Third, we have each focused on innovation, from the time we sought to upgrade our economies from simple, labour-intensive activities to our current focus on mastering new technologies and competing at the global frontier.

Korean companies are global leaders in several fields, and have a significant presence in Singapore. The Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre, for instance, is a testbed for future mobility solutions. And the currents run both ways. Singapore companies such as Princeton Digital Group and Empyrion Digital have invested significantly in South Korea’s data centre sector.

We also give significant attention to building broad defence capabilities and social resilience. Both our countries have compulsory military service for men: “National Service” in Singapore, and “byeong-yeok” in Korea. Our young men serve for roughly the same duration - two years in Singapore and between 18 to 21 months in Korea.  I mention this because I know many Singaporeans have a studied interest in the completion of BTS members’ military service – and are delighted that the band will be performing in Singapore in December!

However, at the heart of the ethos that we share has all along been a basic instinct: that disadvantages and setbacks only spur us to do better, rather than be resigned to falling behind. I believe that is the deeper reason why Singapore and Korea understand each other well.

It is also why, last November, we elevated our relationship to a Strategic Partnership, committing ourselves to deepen cooperation and across a wider front. 

President Lee’s visit today gives our Strategic Partnership real substance. Today, we concluded agreements that will advance cooperation in areas such as civil nuclear energy, science and technology, intellectual property, geospatial information for environmental protection, and digital technologies for public safety.

Both our countries are also committed to upgrading the 2006 Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement to ensure it remains mutually beneficial as we both adapt to a new global environment. And we have agreed to explore further cooperation in cybersecurity, AI, and space. Our companies also continue to pursue joint opportunities together, such as the collaboration between Seviora Holdings and the Korea Development Bank.

The Singapore-ROK Strategic Partnership hence sets a firm foundation that will deepen and strengthen our partnership in an uncertain and troubled world.

Your Excellency,

I am also heartened by how our people are connecting through everyday life – through arts, culture, and sports.

Singaporeans have an insatiable appetite for K-Pop and Korean drama. When Life Gives You Tangerines, for instance, was a hit with many in Singapore and around the world, for the way it  captured the quiet dignity of ordinary lives across three generations. I must admit too, as someone who shares our national fascination with food, that I have been a fan of Culinary Class Wars, especially for its display of Korea’s dedication to craft and excellence.

We continue to collaborate in culture creation. We look forward to the fruits of the partnership between Singapore’s Momo Film Co and South Korea’s Making a Print (MAP) - bringing together MAP’s production expertise and Momo Film’s reputation for making compelling Asian stories. Ms Tan Si En, Momo Film’s Founder, is here with us tonight.

In sports too, the connection is vivid. Taekwondo is one of Singapore’s most established and popular martial art disciplines. A remarkable example is Sister Linda Sim – a Catholic nun and a 6th-dan black belt whose competitive career only took off when she was in her 50s. She has since won more than 30 medals.

Your Excellency,

There is a Korean saying about doenjang or fermented soybean paste and friendships, that goes “Older is better, for doenjang and people”. Our friendship has indeed acquired a richer and deeper flavour over half a century.

We have journeyed together, building a partnership that will withstand storms and flourish and strengthen with every passing season.

May I now invite you to join me in a toast:

• To the good health and happiness of His Excellency Lee Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea, and First Lady Mrs Kim Hea Kyung;

• To the progress and prosperity of the Korean people and the Republic of Korea; and

• To the enduring friendship and cooperation between Singapore and the Republic of Korea.

We ha yo! Cheers!