Pres. Moon to visit Czech Republic, Argentina, New Zealand

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will visit Argentina, the Czech Republic and New Zealand starting from next Tuesday for eight days on the occasion of the G20 summit and to help attract nuclear orders, said the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday.

Presidential spokesman Kim Ui-gyeom announced that Moon would have a summit with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and visit overseas Korean citizens and businessmen to encourage them en route to the G20 summit.

President Moon plans to help win an order on nuclear facilities from the Czech Republic. Reportedly, the Czech government will execute a bidding for a new nuclear reactor project worth 21 trillion won early next year. Russia had been reportedly assessed as the leading bidder, but the worsening of the relationship between the European Union and Russia has allowed South Korea to rise as a new strong competitor. Earlier on Nov. 5, President Moon emphasized the significance of global competitiveness in the nuclear reactor industry at a regular meeting with the leadership of the ruling party, the opposition party and the government. The president aims to contribute to winning of an order on summit diplomacy occasions.

President Moon will also visit Buenos Aires in Argentina to attend this year’s G20 summit. The Korean government is working to materialize a summit talk with U.S. President Donald Trump during the G-20 meeting. Spokesman Kim said that the two nations are under discussion to have a summit between the two leaders.

Following his visit to Argentina, Moon will make a state visit to New Zealand between Dec. 2 and 4 for a summit and meeting with overseas Koreans.


weappon@donga.com