To represent and promote Timor-Leste to the world, the President of the Republic Taur Matan Ruak inaugurated Heranio Coelho as the Timor-Leste Ambassador to South Korea. 
“We all know that Korea had a role from 1999 until now, and Korea is an important nation for the Asian region, which Timor is a part of,” said Ambassador Coelho after receiving the post at the Presidential Palace in Dili.
According to him, Timor-Leste’s presence in Korea is part of the process of Timor-Leste joining ASEAN.
“I think it’s very important, especially for us in terms of interaction and cooperation, as we must develop for the future,” he said.
He said Korea’s evolution began in 1948 after it gained its independence. Korea also used to be colonized by another nation and gained independence after World War II.
“So our presence there and their presence here will contribute to our better understanding of what they’re doing now,” Coelho said.
He explained Timor-Leste’s presence in Korea was very important because many Timorese labourers are working in Korea and need assistance.
“I think we will see these issues through our state framework with Korea,” he said.
He said they had a country partnership strategy between Timor-Leste and Korea, which would run out in 2015.
Meanwhile President Taur Matan Ruak said Korea was a nation that had made an overall contribution to Timor-Leste since 1999.
President TMR said the cooperation between Timor-Leste and Korea was running well because they received a lot of Timorese workers.
He said it was now a phase for Timor-Leste to spread information about itself and it’s vision to other nations.
“Coelho’s vision is very important, not only as a representative of our nation but to promote our nation’s interests to other nations and bring their interests to our nation. This is an important step for economic development,” said the President.
