YONHAP NEWS

Leaders of S. Korea, Hungary agree to expand ties

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Dec. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom agreed Tuesday to expand their countries' bilateral ties, calling for efforts to strengthen their economic ties and to begin cooperating in new areas, including the cultural and science sectors.

The summit between Lee and Solyom marked the 20th anniversary of relations between the countries.

"Welcoming President Solyom's trip to Korea to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, President Lee proposed they work to further develop their relationship by expanding their people to people exchanges, as well as their trade and investment relations," Lee's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.

   The South Korean president also asked for Hungary's support for the early ratification of a free trade agreement, set to be signed early next year, between his country and the European Union.

   "President Lee noted the agreement will not only help expand Korea-EU relations, but also Korea-Hungary ties," the press release said.

   Solyom, who arrived here Sunday, noted the bilateral ties between South Korea and Hungary have steadily improved since they established diplomatic relations 20 years ago, and expressed hope their economic relationship will further expand.

   "In addition, President Solyom called for joint efforts to strengthen our cooperation in the science sector by building a joint research center and asked our government to build a Korean Culture Center in his country," Cheong Wa Dae said.

   The South Korean government agreed to positively consider the request, it said.

   Also at the summit, President Lee sought to win the support of Hungary, a former communist ally and still a close friend of North Korea, for efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

   President Solyom expressed hope for a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and said he supports Seoul's North Korea policy, it said.

   The Hungarian leader will wrap up his state visit here Wednesday after meeting with Seoul's parliamentary speaker, Rep. Kim Hyong-o. He also received a honorary doctorate degree from Seoul's Yonsei University.

   bdk@yna.co.kr
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