1. Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Chung Byung-won visited Lao PDR on January 15, as the first destination of his tour to three Southeast Asian countries -- Lao PDR, Indonesia and Malaysia.

2. During his visit, Deputy Minister Chung paid a courtesy call on H.E. Saleumxay, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR. Deputy Minister Chung congratulated Lao PDR on its assumption of the ASEAN chairmanship this year and conveyed Korea's full support for Lao PDR's successful chairmanship. The Deputy Minister also expressed hope to elevate the bilateral relationship between the ROK and Lao PDR through various means including high-level exchanges, cooperation in investment and infrastructure, and cooperation in digital transformation and other future-oriented areas, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of Korea-Lao PDR diplomatic relations in 2025. 

3. In response, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay stated that Lao PDR is focused on "Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience," ASEAN’s theme for 2024, as the ASEAN Chair. He went on to suggest that the two countries consult closely together to draw significant results from both Korea-ASEAN and Korea-Lao PDR cooperation. After the meeting, the two sides held a handover ceremony of protocol vehicles and information technology (IT) equipment to support Lao PDR for its successful ASEAN chairmanship.

4. Deputy Minister Chung then had a meeting with H.E. Thongphane Savanphet, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and ASEAN SOM Leader. Deputy Minister Chung asked for Lao PDR's cooperation toward the establishment of a Korea-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Korea-ASEAN dialogue partnership this year, and for smooth preparation for the ASEAN-related summit in October. In response, Deputy Minister Thongphane expressed Lao PDR's strong support for the upgrade of the ASEAN-ROK relations to the CSP.

5. Later in the day, Deputy Minister Chung held the fifth Korea-Lao PDR High-level Policy Consultation with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay. The two sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields such as political affairs, economy, development, culture, and regional and global affairs. In particular, Deputy Minister Chung asked Lao PDR to create favorable conditions for Korean companies to expand investment in Lao PDR. Furthermore, he looked forward to Korean companies' participation in various infrastructure projects pursued by the Lao government.

6. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay hoped for deeper bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

7. In his meetings with the Lao side, Deputy Minister Chung explained recent developments in the situation on the Korean Peninsula. He stressed that it is important for the international community to demonstrate its united will in order to make North Korea halt provocations and return to the path of denuclearization, and requested Lao PDR's role as the ASEAN chair, in that regard.