SINGAPORE — President Lee Jae-myung, on a state visit to Singapore, will hold a summit with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday to discuss bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital technology, science, and small modular reactors.
The two leaders are expected to issue a joint declaration announcing the launch of negotiations to upgrade the Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement and sign five memoranda of understanding covering AI, digital, science and technology, and SMR sectors.
President Lee began his day attending an official welcoming ceremony and orchid naming ceremony hosted by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife at the Singapore government complex. The orchid is Singapore's national flower, and the naming ceremony is a tradition where a hybrid orchid is named after visiting dignitaries.
"This is a unique Singaporean diplomatic custom aimed at strengthening friendly relations with foreign nations," presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said. The orchid will be named "Vanda Lee Jae Myung Kim Hea Kyung" after the president and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung.
Following a meeting with President Tharman, Lee will hold the summit with Prime Minister Wong, followed by an MOU exchange ceremony, joint press statement, and luncheon.
In the afternoon, the president will attend the "AI Connect Summit" for discussions with future AI leaders from both countries before concluding his visit with a state dinner hosted by President Tharman and his wife.
"President Lee and Prime Minister Wong have been actively engaging through multilateral forums including ASEAN, APEC, and G20, as well as Wong's first official visit to Korea in November last year," Kang said. "This state visit is expected to deepen the bond and trust between the two leaders and accelerate the strategic partnership established last year."