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On Friday, 21 August, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica met with a delegation from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, led by Deputy Speaker Park Duk-hyum. The parties discussed parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, opportunities to expand economic cooperation, as well as current developments in global security and international affairs.
Kalniņa-Lukaševica expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of bilateral relations in recent years, highlighting that on 5 September this year the two countries will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Symbolically, the two deputy speakers met on 21 August, when Latvia commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Constitutional Law on the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia, which effectively concluded the process of restoring Latvia’s independence.
“The active political dialogue between Latvia and the Republic of Korea is creating new opportunities for the development of economic relations. We have a solid foundation and considerable potential to expand them significantly. We see prospects for cooperation both in traditional export sectors and in technology and other high value-added industries, including artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and energy,” said Kalniņa-Lukaševica.
The Deputy Speaker of the Saeima noted that the interest of Latvian businesses in the Korean market continues to grow. She emphasised that, at the national level, Latvia is interested in closer cooperation between defence industry companies of the two countries.
Statistical indicators from recent years confirm stable economic ties between the two countries while also demonstrating significant potential for further expansion. In 2025, Latvia's foreign trade turnover with the Republic of Korea reached EUR 168.6 million, an increase of 2.6% over the year, with Latvia recording a positive trade balance of EUR 20.6 million. Korean investment in Latvia is also increasing, with the stock of Korean investment reaching EUR 9 million in the first quarter of 2026.
Discussing current developments in international politics, the Deputy Speaker of the Saeima stressed that, in the current global security environment, cooperation among like-minded countries and partners is particularly important, including support for Ukraine, cooperation in cybersecurity, efforts to combat disinformation, and the development of new technologies, including in the defence sector.
Officials from both countries confirmed their interest in further deepening parliamentary dialogue and strengthening relations in the fields of security, economy, innovation, and science. The parties highlighted cooperation at the municipal level as a promising area for future development, which would promote not only investment in the regions but also mutual cultural exchange.
The meeting with the delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea was also attended by Arvils Ašeradens, Chair of the Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee, and Jānis Vucāns, Chair of the Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee, who is also a member of the Group for promoting cooperation with the Parliament of the Republic of Korea.
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Saeima Press Service