ASIAN TOUR 1967 bIsro
8 APR 1967
KOREA_
JOINT COMMUNIQUE BY PRIME MINISTER IL KWON CHUNG
OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND PRIME MINISTER HAROLD
HOLT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 9TH APRIL, 1967
At the invitation of His Excellency 11 Kwon Chung. Prime
Minister of the Republic of Korea, the Right Honourable Harold Holt,
Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia paid an official visit
to the Republic of Korea from 6th to 9th April, 1967.
Prime Minister Holt was accompanied by Mrs. Holt, Sir
Laurence Mclnture, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Ext ernal
Affairs, Mr. D. J, Munro, First Assistant Secretary of the Prime Minister's
Department and other officials of the Australian Government.
During the visit, Prime Minister Holt had a highly profitable
exchange of views with His Excellency President Park Chung Hee of the
RepuliIc of Korea, and he and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea
had a series of frank discussions on matters of common concern In a most
cordial atmosphere. The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction that the
friendly relations existing between their countries have recently been
further strengthoned through Increased co-operation In their common
Interest and through joint endeavours for the security and prosperity of
the Asian and Pacific region.
Prime Minister Chung, recalling with gratitude the part
played by the Australian Armed Forces in the Korean war, stated that the
visit of Prime Minister Holt to Korea at such a time had a special
significance and marked a milestone in the history of Korean-Australian
relations. The two Prime Ministers gave particular attention to recent
developments in the Asian and Pacific region. They noted that the united
strength of the free nations in the region has been effectively containing
the further expansion of the aggressive forces of communism.
In the course of their deliberations, the two Prime Ministers
reviewed in detail the latest developments In Viet Nam in the military
as well as the political, economic and social fields and discussed ways
and means of promoting co-operation between their two countries In
achieving their common goals of restoring peace and safeguarding freedom
In Viet Nam. They were firmly resolved to do all in their power to
prevent the conflict In Viet Nam from spreading to the rest of the region
and from affecting other regions of the world as well.
They expressed their satisfaction over the more favourable
military situation recently achieved in Viet Nam through the determination
and sacrifices of the Vietnamese people and the joint efforts of their
allies as well as the successful implementation of various programmes of
pacification and social development. e*
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They reaffirmed the resolve of both countries as proclaimed
at the Manila Summit Conference in October, 1966, to continue their
military and other efforts until the communists realise that their aggressive
schemes and actions would not be rewarded and consequently stop their
aggression. The two Prime Ministers agreed that continuing efforts should be
made in search of peace in Viet Nam. They agreed that such a peace must
guarantee the cessation of acts of aggression by the communists and uphold
and respect the independence of the Republic of Viet Nam and the right of
the Vietnamese people to choose their own way of life.
The two Prime Ministers further agreed that a settlement in Viet
Nam, to be enduring, must respect the wishes and aspirations of the
Vietnamese Government and people, that the Vietnamese Government should
be a full participant in any negotiations designed to bring about a settlement
of the conflict and that the nations which have contributed to the defence
of the Republic of Viet Nam should participate in any future settlenti of the
conflict. The two Prime Ministers, recognising the valuable achievements
of the Manila Summwit Conference and the Asian and Pacific Council, stressed
the historic significance of the growth of regional solidarity among the free
nations in the region, including their two countries, as convincing signs of
a brighter and more prosperous future for the region as a whole. They
shared the view that the foundation of a new community in the Pacific has
thus been laid by the countries in the region, and that such a community
should continue to be developed through mutual co-operation of the regiona.
countries working together as equal partners.
They reiterated that their common purpose is to defend the
region from external aggression, maintain peace and order and develop
the region in accordance with the aims envisaged in the goals of freedom
adopted in Manila on October 25, 1966. To this end they agreed to further
the development of adequate machinery for consultation and co-operation.
Prime Minister 11 Kwon Chung, on behalf of the Government and
people of the Republic of Kcrea, expressed deep appreciation for the
valuable support which Australia, a member of the United Nations Commission
for Unification and Rehabilitation of Korea, has rendered to the
position of the Republic of Korea at the United Nations.
Prime Minister Holt, in response, stated that his Government
would continue to uphold the principles which have been repeatedly
reaffirmed at the United Nations with regard iD the unification of Korea.
The two Prime Ministers reviewed trade relations existing
between the two countries and discussed ways and means to promote
mutual trade. Prime Minister Holt welcomed Korea's admission to the
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and hoped that trade between
the two countries would be further stimulated through the framework of
the agreement. The two Prime Miniiste~ rs agreed that further discussions should
be held between represebativez u the two Governments with the object of
promoting trade between the two countries. / 3
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Prime Minister Chung expressed appreciation for the co-operation
rendered thus far by Australia in the economic field, mainly through the
Colombo Plan.
The Australian Prime Minister undertook to examine ways in
which this co-operation might be extended, including the possibility of
providing additional training facilities in Australia for Korean technicians.
Prime Minister Holt expressed his profound thanks to the
Government and people of the Republic of Korea for the great friendliness
and the warm hospitality extended to him and his party from the moment
of their arrival in Seoul.