Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong have agreed to establish a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing cooperation in defense and trade, among other sectors. This announcement was made during a joint press conference in Seoul, marking the conclusion of summit discussions held during Wong's official visit to South Korea.

According to Anadolu Agency, the two leaders emphasized the shared characteristics of their nations, highlighting their remarkable growth driven by human capital and a commitment to free trade despite geographical and resource limitations. President Lee remarked on the similarities between the two countries, noting their achievements in a challenging geopolitical environment.

Prime Minister Wong expressed optimism about the partnership, stating that he and President Lee reaffirmed the strong relationship between their countries and recognized the vast potential for further collaboration. The strategic partnership will focus on strengthening cooperation in security, defense, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, and people-to-people exchanges. The nations also aim to combat transnational crimes such as online scams.

In response to global challenges like climate change and cross-border crimes, South Korea and Singapore will bolster their efforts to address these issues as part of their strategic partnership. The agreement signifies an adaptation to the evolving international order that has underpinned global growth and prosperity, as per the presidential office.

Additionally, the two countries signed multiple memorandums of understanding in areas including digital cooperation, logistics and shipping, culture and sports, healthcare, and AI safety, further solidifying their commitment to deepening bilateral ties.