SEOUL/AMBENO (TOP) - President of the Republic José Ramos-Horta said that more than 7,000 young Timorese have benefited from a work program he was the first to champion, and asked that the program continue to move forward.
The President raised the matter during an Official Summit with the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung, at the Blue House in Seoul on Friday, 6 November 2026.
“I am proud that the work program I first championed has benefited more than 7,000 young Timorese. I hope we can expand it further,” President Ramos-Horta said during the small-format 1+4 summit meeting.
He began his remarks by thanking his host. “Mr. President, thank you for your warm welcome and generous hospitality in Seoul, and congratulations on your election; your journey is a remarkable story of perseverance and public service,” he said.
President Ramos-Horta recalled the history between the two countries. “Timor-Leste and Korea share a special friendship that began before our diplomatic relations in 2002; we remain deeply grateful for the Korean peacekeeping force, especially the Sangusuer Unit, which served alongside the UN during our transition to independence,” he said. “I have visited Korea many times over these 25 years as Foreign Minister and President, and I have a deep personal appreciation for your nation’s achievements.”
President Horta added: “Korea’s transformation through peace, education and innovation inspires Timor-Leste, which since the restoration of independence has consolidated democracy and last year joined ASEAN as its eleventh member.”
According to a press release from the Timor-Leste Presidential Palace accessed by The Oekusi Post (TOP), the two leaders agreed to strengthen labor cooperation through the Employment Permit System, and to expand Korean-language education and human resource development.
On development cooperation, President Ramos-Horta said, “We value Korea’s support through development cooperation and recognize the good work of your Embassy in Dili and KOICA, and I hope today’s meeting builds on our Foreign Ministers’ discussions in June, especially on investment, education, employment, including Korea’s participation in Greater Sunrise and our projects and partnerships on the South Coast and partnerships with Korean universities.”
He also expressed interest in a Kim Dae-jung Center for Studies. “I also want to explore a Kim Dae-jung Center for Studies in Timor-Leste, and I look forward to your perspectives on the Korean Peninsula, the South China Sea, Myanmar, Ukraine and the Middle East, and how we can contribute together to dialogue, stability and peaceful resolution,” he said.
At the conclusion of the small-format meeting, the two delegations signed three Memoranda of Understanding.
First, on the Establishment of Bilateral Consultations, signed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Jesuína Maria Ferreira Gomes and Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun.
Second, on Comprehensive Cooperation in Intellectual Property, signed by Minister of Commerce and Industry Filipus Nino Pereira and Korean Minister of Intellectual Property Kim Yong-sun.
Third, an Arrangement on Police Cooperation, signed by PNTL Deputy Commander-General Natercia Eufrasia Soares Martins and KNPA Acting Commissioner General Kim Jong-chul. The press release states that the police cooperation arrangement aims to strengthen cooperation against transnational crime.
President Lee then hosted an Official Luncheon in honor of President Ramos-Horta, during which the two leaders held an expanded summit, each accompanied by seven representatives.
In his speech at the luncheon, Ramos-Horta said: “The visit to Seoul is a valuable opportunity to strengthen the long friendship between Timor-Leste and the Republic of Korea, particularly in education, employment, technology, investment and economic development, as Timor-Leste begins a new chapter as the eleventh member of ASEAN.”
He thanked South Korea for its contribution to Timor-Leste’s development. “I thank Korea for its enduring contribution to our development, from the Korean peacekeeping force during our transition to independence to Korea’s partnership and volunteer work,” he said.
“I am optimistic about the potential to strengthen our bilateral relations by developing the skills of our young people, expanding employment opportunities, encouraging Korean investment and drawing on Korea’s experience in science, technology and innovation,” he added.
President Horta also concluded that the visit marks another important step in strengthening friendship.
The two leaders also agreed to cooperate closely on Timor-Leste’s accession to ASEAN and the 2029 ASEAN Chairmanship, as well as the ASEAN–Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit. The two countries also agreed to pursue a Climate Change Cooperation Agreement and an MOU on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, to swiftly conclude a Framework Agreement on Grant Aid, to pursue a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and to establish a regular bilateral consultation mechanism.
The Timor-Leste delegation also included Ambassador António de Sá Benevides, Timor-Leste’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, and Ambassador Nelson Gaspar Ferreira dos Santos, Senior Advisor to the President on International Relations. The Korean delegation included Minister Cho Hyun, National Security Director Wi Sung Lac, and MOFA Director-General for ASEAN and Southeast Asian Affairs Kwon Jae-Hwan.
Diplomatic relations between Timor-Leste and South Korea began in 2002 and will mark their 25th anniversary next year.
