(16-9-2026, Seoul)
The inaugural economic forum commemorating the establishment of the Korea-Myanmar Association for Economic & Security Studies (KMAESS) was held on September 15, 2026, at MIR Hall, LS Tower, Seoul. The event was attended by Mr. Lim Jong-deck, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea; U Myo Myint Maung, Chargé d’Affaires a.i./Ambassador of the Embassy of Myanmar in Seoul; Mr. Choi Shin Il, Chairman of KMAESS, and members of the Association; invited guests, business representatives, and representatives from organizations interested in Korea-Myanmar relations and bilateral economic cooperation.
At the ceremony, Mr. Lim Jong-deck, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea; U Myo Myint Maung, Chargé d’Affaires a.i./Ambassador of the Embassy of Myanmar in Seoul; and Mr. Hwang Dong Jun, Chairman of the Korea Defense Diplomacy Association, delivered congratulatory remarks on the establishment of KMAESS and the successful organization of the inaugural forum.
Following the congratulatory remarks, Mr. Choi Shin Il, Chairman of KMAESS, expressed his appreciation to all those who had contributed to the establishment of KMAESS and the successful organization of the forum. In recognition of the Chargé d’Affaires a.i./Ambassador’s active support and cooperation in the establishment of KMAESS and efforts to promote Korea-Myanmar economic cooperation, the Chairman presented him with a Plaque of Appreciation.
In his congratulatory remarks, U Myo Myint Maung, Chargé d’Affaires a.i./Ambassador of the Embassy of Myanmar in Seoul, expressed his belief and hope that KMAESS would serve as an important bridge for further strengthening friendship and cooperation between Myanmar and the Republic of Korea. He also highlighted Myanmar’s emphasis on attracting foreign investment and noted that the Head of State of Myanmar has been extending invitations to international investors to explore investment opportunities in Myanmar.
During the event, Dr. Wah Wah Maung, former Union Minister of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations of Myanmar; Dr. Htain Lin, Director General of the Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization under the Ministry of Commerce; and U Aye Win, Chairman of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), also delivered congratulatory messages via video.
The forum then continued with a presentation by Ms. Win Pa Pa Thu, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of Myanmar in Seoul, entitled “The Business Environment and Future Prospects for Myanmar-Korea Economic Cooperation.” She presented an overview of Myanmar’s business environment, bilateral trade developments, and prospects for further enhancing Myanmar-Korea economic cooperation. She also highlighted the Embassy’s ongoing efforts and initiatives to facilitate investment in Myanmar, including efforts to attract investment in rice bran oil production and other potential sectors.
During the forum, KMAESS and Myanmar’s Super Seven Stars Group of Companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on general economic cooperation, establishing a practical linkage for promoting future economic cooperation between Myanmar and the Republic of Korea. In addition, the Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of Myanmar in Seoul provided explanations and discussed relevant procedures and matters of interest to Korean business representatives seeking to undertake business activities and investment in Myanmar. The discussions contributed to establishing a foundation for practical economic cooperation that could be implemented in the future.
KMAESS was established as a non-profit legal think tank with the approval of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) of the Republic of Korea. The Association aims to promote greater understanding and cooperation in economic and security-related matters between the Republic of Korea and Myanmar, facilitate research and policy dialogue, and develop mutually beneficial areas of cooperation between the two countries.
