Luncheon Remarks
by H.E. Mr. Cho Tae-yul,
Vice Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea,
at the Fourth Meeting of the Korean-Danish Green Growth Alliance



March 6, 2014


Minister Jensen, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very pleased that the fourth meeting of the Korean-Danish Green Growth Alliance ended with success. Although Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt could not join us this time due to the crisis in Ukraine, we were able to reaffirm our commitment to promote green growth that remains as firm and strong as ever.

According to the "World Happiness Report", the Danes are the happiest people in the world. Perhaps, this is because they are optimists who strongly believe in a positive future, while staying grounded in reality.

Denmark is known as home to the Little Mermaid from the fairy tale of Hans Christian Anderson, but in fact, it is a country which has produced five Nobel Laureates in physics and medicine. This is why Denmark’s ambitious goal to become independent of fossil fuel consumption by 2050 is not viewed as an empty rhetoric.

On the other hand, the same report placed the Koreans at the 41st from the top in terms of index for happiness. I was wondering why and after a thought, came to a conclusion that it was not because the Koreans are particularly unhappy compared with others, but most probably because they have a strong yearning for a better life which they never give up.

As you know, only six decades ago, Korea was struggling with poverty in the ruins of the Korean War. However, in a span of half a century, Korea has transformed itself into a dynamic and prosperous democracy as it is today. This has been possible not only because Korea has built a strong cultural and intellectual infrastructure over the past 5,000 years of its history, but also because its people are full of ‘can do spirit’.

Korea had no other choice but to rely on human resources to make something out of nothing. And today, the Park Geun-hye administration’s policy to pursue a creative economy also stems from our commitment to overcome the limits of the classical economic theory and establish a new growth paradigm.

Green growth is another fresh challenge for Koreans who managed to create the "Miracle on the Han River." Promoting energy efficiency, and developing renewable energy and next-generation Green Ships may not be an easy task, but I am confident that these are "blue oceans" that will stimulate the Koreans’ spirit of taking challenges head on.

Denmark, a leading country in green growth as well as in positive and creative thinking, is a perfect partner for Korea to pursue green growth strategy.

Distinguished Guests,

In Denmark, there is a saying that "it is better to reject outright a request than make a promise that cannot be delivered". Green growth and green alliance are promises made to our two peoples and to the larger humanity. By establishing solid platforms such as GGGI and 3GF, we have already made clear our commitment to contribute to promoting global prosperity through green growth.

I hope that the Korean-Danish Green Growth Alliance will remain a source of inspiration not only for our two peoples, but also for scientists, politicians, diplomats and youth from all over the world.

Before I conclude, I would like to congratulate you once again for a successful meeting and thank all of those who worked so hard to prepare for this meeting. Thank you. /END/