South Korean President Moon Jae-in (Photo: Yonhap/ VNA)

President Moon delivered a statement on Seoul’s commitment to the region’s development and peace following a summit with Laotian President Bounnhang Vorachith and a separate meeting with Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane.

"The entire world is now paying attention to the development of the Mekong region,” Moon said, adding that South Korea hopes to prosper together with Mekong countries and expects the “miracle of the Han River” to lead to the “miracle of the Mekong River”.  

Moon presented a three-point vision: prosperity based on experience sharing, sustainable growth, and East Asia peace and co-prosperity. South Korea has lots of experience in the development of farm villages and plans to share its know-how on manpower training and growth with other nations.  Moon is the first South Korean leader to make a state visit to Laos since South Korea and Laos established diplomatic ties in 1974.  Laos is the last stop of his six-day tour to three ASEAN countries including Thailand and Myanmar.