The Republic of Korea (RoK) is cooperating with the Mekong Institute (MI) by entrusting MI with the Mekong-RoK Cooperation Fund for projects in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Countries. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed last 1-2 June 2014 in Pattaya City, Thailand. 

During the signing ceremony, Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Director, represented MI, while Mr. Suh Jeong In, Director of South Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented the Republic of Korea. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Program Manager of Trade and Investment Facilitation Department (TIF) and five representatives from Greater Mekong Sub-region. 

This agreement aspires to achieve the enhancement of ASEAN Connectivity, achieve sustainable development, and people-oriented development in the Mekong Countries, namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. An action plan was drafted and will be implemented and monitored over the next three years (2014-2017). 

The MoU also resulted in the approval of the TIF Department’s proposal on FRETA Logistic Master Program. Initial funding has been approved with the assurance that funds will increase in the coming years.