1. The Republic of Korea’s delegation of special envoys sent to the inauguration of Chile’s new President Sebastián Piñera (lawmakers Chin Young (head of the delegation) and Lee Hack-young) attended the inauguration, held at the country’s parliament on March 11.

o About 60 countries, including the ROK, the US, Japan, China, Iran, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and Brazil, sent their delegations to the inauguration. Heads of state or government of 9 countries attended the inauguration.

2. Before the inauguration, the ROK delegation paid a courtesy call on new President Piñera on March 10, and delivered President Moon Jae-in’s letter to him. The delegation also requested the governments of the two countries continue to work together to increase future-oriented and mutually-beneficial substantive cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economic and trade affairs, infrastructure, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

o Special envoy Chin expressed hope that the long-standing friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, which have been deepened since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, will further advance during President Piñera’s term. Special envoy Chin especially hoped that more Korean companies will participate in Chile’s major national projects, including in the areas of resource development, energy and infrastructure construction, and thereby contribute significantly to the country’s development.

o President Piñera said that he is well aware of the economic growth the ROK has achieved, and expressed respect for the people of the ROK. He also said that he is willing to visit the ROK in the near future, and hoped that Korean companies with advanced technologies will increase their investments in Chile.

o Special envoy Chin explained in detail the latest developments in efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and improve inter-Korean relations, which are underway on the occasion of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, and asked for the Chilean government’s continued interest and support. President Piñera congratulated the ROK on the success of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and expressed hope that an era of peace on the Korean Peninsula without a nuclear threat will come as soon as possible.

o The two sides agreed to continue to work together to deepen the trade and investment relations between the two countries through improvements in the ROK-Chile FTA, and the ROK’s accession to the Pacific Alliance as an associate member, building upon the mutually-beneficial results that have been achieved through the ROK-Chile FTA.

- Furthermore, the two sides agreed to step up efforts to facilitate cultural and people-to-people exchanges. President Piñera said that he is well aware of the importance of the Korean community in Chile, and expressed his interest and willingness to provide support.

3. The ROK delegation will have a meeting with representatives from the Korean community in Chile on March 12, and talk about the directions of the new ROK government’s major policies, as well as the latest developments in efforts to improve inter-Korean relations. The delegation will also ask for the Korean community’s continued role and contribution to advance the ROK-Chile relations, and learn about difficulties they are facing in Chile.

* unofficial translation