“Many labor workers and students want to come to Korea."


Soukthavone Keola, the Laotian Ambassador to Korea, gave a comfortable impression, like a good neighbor, and was smiling fully. It is three years since he was appointed to Korea.

The ambassador clarified that in all about 100 Laotians were living in Korea, including 24 special managers in charge of elephants, about 30 Laotions who married Koreans, Laotian students studying in Korea who were financially supported by the Korean government, and several embassy staffs.

It has been 15 years since Laos established diplomatic ties with Korea.
The ambassador said, "Many Laotian laborers want to have the chance to work in Korea, and a lot of students wish to study in Korea."

He said "Currently Laotians are quite satisfied with Korean life," and "I wish Korea would invest more capital in Laos." Especially, he asked that Korea will help Laos in exporting Laotian coffee and trees, and that Korean government would help many Laotian laborers come to Korea.

'Come sightseeing in Laos where there are rich resources and beautiful mature.'

He said, "The tourism industry of Vietnam and Thailand is greatly developed.
Laos, which is right next to them, is also a good tourist resort," and "About 1,000 Koreans are living in Laos now."

He said that the salary which Laotian students receive in Korean companies after they graduated from universities is very small and he wished Korean companies to reconsider Laotians' pride.


Interview with the President of ICFW & PPCWC