South Korea, Turkey agree to enhance ties

South Korean President Moon Jae-in shakes hands with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap

By Kim Rahn

President Moon Jae-in and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to expand cooperation in trade, the defense industry and energy, Cheong Wa Dae said Wednesday.

The two leaders made a joint press announcement after their summit during Erdogan’s state visit to Korea. He was the first Turkish president to visit here since the two nations upgraded their ties to a strategic partnership in 2012.

According to the announcement, the leaders agreed to intensify cooperation regarding international organizations. They decided to develop MIKTA, an informal partnership among Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey and Australia, into a forum for leaders of these countries.

Moon and Erdogan also agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in solar energy development, nuclear power plant construction, the defense industry, transportation, and science and technology. They especially sought to swiftly implement an agreement on the service industry and investment within the framework of the South Korea-Turkey free trade agreement.

They welcomed the establishment of a Turkish culture center in Seoul which will open soon.

Moon said Korea and Turkey have been close throughout history, saying South Koreans think of the Turks as “blood brothers” who fought for them during the Korean War (1950-53). “Based on such a traditional friendship and trust, the two nations have been improving exchanges at both governmental and civil levels,” Moon said.

Erdogan recognized Friday’s inter-Korean summit, expressing his support for South Korea’s efforts to open a new era of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia and the world.

“I believe the inter-Korean summit was successful and will contribute to world peace,” Erdogan said. “I hope the reconciliatory atmosphere will continue forever. If North Korea resolves the nuclear issue through negotiations with South Korea and other nations involved, I believe more successful outcomes will be made.”

After the summit, ministers of the two nations signed four memoranda of understanding in higher education, information and communication technology, trade, and healthcare.

Erdogan invited Moon to Turkey, an offer Moon accepted.

Later in the day they had dinner and enjoyed a cultural performance.