Korea Ready to Aid Mongolia's Economic Development

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Chairman Gonchigdorj, members of the State Great Hural, and distinguished guests, I have always wanted to visit Mongolia at least once. For, I wanted to confirm the historic and racial bond between the Korean and Mongolian people.

You and I and the peoples of Mongolia and the Republic of Korea all were born with a Mongol spot. The shuttlecock, jackstones and cat's cradle that Mongolian children enjoy are also traditional games for Korean children.

That is not all. The Mongolian legend of Alungua as well as the fact that Mongolians can sing the Korean song of ``Arirang'' better than any other people in the world heightens the feeling of closeness between our two peoples.

How can the Korean people, therefore, not feel a bond with Mongolia? As the first President of the Republic of Korea to visit Mongolia, I expect to promote practical cooperative relations based on the historic and emotional bond between Korea and Mongolia.

Chairman Gonchigdorj and members of the State Great Hural,

My respected friend who visited the Republic of Korea twice and encouraged me as the leader of an opposition party is now presiding over the State Great Hural. I am extremely happy to be able to stand here with him.

At the same time, I believe it is a boundless honor for me to be able to address the State Great Hural, which is the cradle of Mongolia's democratization, reform and openness.

It was you who let the world know of a Mongolia that is a democratic nation in name as well as in substance by establishing a multi-party system and adopting the new and historic Constitution in 1992. And it was here that many laws were enacted and systems adopted that safeguard and develop Mongolia's democracy and market economy.

I hope that Mongolia's ideal for a humanitarian society, based on the basic principles of democracy, freedom and fairness will be realized through the State Great Hural.

Members of the State Great Hural, I am firmly convinced that Mongolia will march …