Mr Thongloun, accompanied by his spouse, led a Lao delegation on the visit from 14 to 15 December 2025. It was the first visit to the Republic of Korea by Laos’s top leadership in 12 years.

During bilateral talks in Seoul on 15 December, the two leaders agreed to elevate relations to a Comprehensive Partnership, aimed at deepening cooperation and delivering tangible benefits to both countries.

President Lee described the visit as a historic milestone in Lao–Korean relations over the past three decades. President Thongloun thanked the Republic of Korea for its warm reception and congratulated President Lee on his election in June 2025, as well as on the successful hosting of the APEC summit earlier in November.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, education, tourism, labour and infrastructure development. They also committed to closer coordination in combating online fraud and transnational crime, including the establishment of a joint cooperation mechanism.

President Thongloun expressed Laos’s appreciation for the Republic of Korea’s long-standing support through official development assistance, concessional loans and rural development initiatives, as well as assistance in health, UXO clearance and human resource development. He also thanked Seoul for its support during Laos’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.

President Lee said the Republic of Korea would continue to assist Laos in areas including labour, education and rural development, and support its efforts to enhance regional connectivity. Both leaders pledged to facilitate investment and to work closely within ASEAN–Korea and Mekong–Korea cooperation frameworks.

Following the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of three cooperation agreements in the fields of prosecution and labour.

During the visit, President Thongloun also received courtesy calls from the chairman of the Korea–Laos Friendship Association and the head of Booyoung Group.

KPL