South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon has arrived in Dhaka on a three-day official visit seeking greater engagement between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen received Prime Minister Lee at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as he arrived by a special flight at 5:45pm on Saturday. South Korean Ambassador in Dhaka Hu Kang-il was also present, reports UNB.
A red carpet was rolled out for the Korean PM as he was given a guard of honour.
Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and South Korean Ambassador in Dhaka Hu Kang-il were, among others, present at the airport to receive the Korean prime minister, he said.
Lee is set to hold official talks with Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday afternoon.
They are likely to discuss ways of cooperation in the areas of security, trade and investment, and people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Both the prime ministers are scheduled to sign bilateral documents after the talks, and before that, they will have a tête-à-tête.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), and an accord on cultural exchange program for 2019-2023 are likely to be signed.
Another MoU on cooperation between the Korea National Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Korea and the Foreign Service Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh is also on the table.
At the start of his visit, the South Korean prime minister will pay tribute to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar on Sunday morning.
Later, he will deliver the keynote speech at Bangladesh-Korea Business Forum, jointly organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Korea International Trade Association (KITA) at a city hotel.
Lee Nak-yon is also set to meet President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Sunday evening. The same evening, he will join a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon.
On Monday, the South Korean prime minister will pay homage to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath on his portrait at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi.
Lee is scheduled to leave Dhaka at 11am on Monday by the special flight.
