Tsinghua News Network, June 23 (Reporter: Qu Tian, Photographer: Li Pai). “I am delighted to return to Tsinghua University, where I formed such meaningful connections. My time studying here is among the happiest memories of my life,” said Kim Min-Seok, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, during a visit to Tsinghua University on the morning of June 23. Qiu Yong, Secretary of the University Party Committee, held talks with Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok in Meeting Room 327 of the Main Building. The meeting was also attended by Park Yun‑ju, First Vice‑Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Noh Jae‑heon, Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to China, and Dai Bing, China’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.
On behalf of the university, Qiu Yong extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok on his return to his alma mater. He quoted President Xi Jinping’s discription of China and the Republic of Korea as inseparable neighbours and indispensable cooperative partners. He said the visit reflected the Prime Minister’s deep affection for Tsinghua. A leading university, he added, should combine excellence in innovation with a strong grounding in the humanities. In recent years, Tsinghua University has steadily advanced high‑level opening‑up, with rising social influence and global reputation. As the University marked its 115th anniversary, Qiu expressed its readiness to strengthen cooperation in education, science and technology, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges, with partners across the Republic of Korea, contributing to the continued development of the China‑Republic of Korea strategic cooperative partnership.
Prime Minister Kim recalled his days as a student at Tsinghua. He commended Tsinghua University as a world‑renowned leading institution with impressive achievements in scientific and technological innovation. He noted that the two countries’ leaders had met and exchanged visits in November of the previous year and January of the current year, setting the direction for bilateral relations. The Republic of Korea’s government placed great importance on education and science‑technology cooperation with China, and he hoped that Tsinghua would draw on its strengths to deepen ties with Korean universities. He also look forward to more exchanges between young people in history, politics, culture and other spheres to enhance mutual understanding and trust. “I believe my bond with Tsinghua will continue to grow, helping to advance in relations between our two countries and bring further benefits,” said Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok.
After the meeting , Prime Minister Kim Min‑seok visited the School of Law.
Representatives from the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Prime Minister’s Secretariat and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, as well as representatives of Tsinghua’s School of Law, Institute of International Relations and International Affairs Office attended the event.
From 2007 to 2010, Kim Min‑seok pursued the LL.M. in Chinese Law Programme at Tsinghua University School of Law and was awarded a Master of Laws degree.
CN