site.btaPresident Radev Confers with Republic of Korea's Minister of Interior and Safety

Bulgaria is interested in using the experience of the Republic of Korea to improve the efficiency of public administration and in the field of e-government, President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with Yun Hojung, Minister of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea, here on Thursday. The Minister visited Bulgaria to participate in a joint Bulgarian-Korean forum  on public governance. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bulgaria, Dong-bae Kim, also participated in the meeting, the President's press office reported.

The President pointed out that there is a debate in Bulgaria about the development of the state administration, its size, functions, and efficiency, and that the Republic of Korea has made significant achievements in the digitization of administrative processes and e-government. The development of e-government should lead to greater transparency in the work of the administration and limit the subjective factor in decision-making, Radev noted.

During the meeting, the economy, investment, high technology, science, education, and culture were highlighted as particularly promising areas of bilateral partnership.

President Radev noted that the Republic of Korea is a priority partner for Bulgaria in East Asia, with which relations are developing on the basis of shared values and principles, and in 2025 the two countries will mark 35 years since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Radev underscored the great potential of the partnership in the field of high technology. In this regard, the head of State pointed out that Bulgaria has established the first Institute for Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Technology (INSAIT) in Southeast Europe, a supercomputer is operating with the support of the EU, and Bulgaria has been designated by the European Commission for the creation of an artificial intelligence factory.

The partnership in the energy sector and the participation of a leading Korean company in the project for the construction of new energy capacities at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant were also discussed.

During the meeting, President Radev emphasized that Bulgaria is monitoring developments in the field of security in the East Asian region and confirmed his country's support for the implementation of United Nations resolutions regarding the nuclear and missile programme of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Radev invited Korean President Lee Jae Myung to visit Bulgaria to further deepen bilateral dialogue at the highest level.