DILI, 25 september 2023 (TATOLI) – The Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, and his South Korean counterpart, Han Duck-soo, held a bilateral meeting, on the sidelines of the 19th Asian Games, on sunday to discuss cooperation between the two countries in the field of sport, focusing on the ongoing construction of the four multipurpose sports fields in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste.
During the meeting, both leaders discussed specifically the importance of the construction the multi-purpose sports fields for national development.
In june, the former State Secretariat for Youth and Sports (SSYS) said that the construction of the four multipurpose sports fields has reached 28%.
“My deepest appreciation to the Korean government and the people of Korea for their generosity in helping Timor-Leste through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The construction of the four multi-purpose sports fields is underway,” Gusmão said in Hangzhou, China, on Sunday.
Gusmão also thanked South Korea for taking many young Timorese to work in South Korea.
According to Gusmão, sending workers to South Korea helps to reduce unemployment in the country.
Since 2009, thousands of Timorese laborers have been sent to work in Korea and have contributed millions of dollars to the country, according to data from the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment (SEFOPE),
Gusmão said that more than 1,000 Timorese are currently working in fisheries and factories in South Korea: “Korea wants to extend cooperation to many other areas as well.”
Meanwhile, Han said that Korea would continue to support Timor-Leste not only in the field of sports but also in other areas, such as education, agriculture, and tourism.
“I urge the Timorese government to continue providing capacity building and training to young Timorese so that they are better prepared to work in South Korea,” said Han.
South Korea will also continue to support Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
