By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
South Korea and the Republic of Seychelles agreed Wednesday to work closely to promote the safety of cargo ships and fishermen in waters off Somalia.
At a summit between President Lee Myung-bak and Seychelles President James Michel at Cheong Wa Dae, Michel said his country will support the Korean navy's anti-piracy operation there.
A 2,100-ton South Korean destroyer has been escorting cargo vessels in the region since April as piracy has become rampant there.
President Michel appreciated Korea's anti-piracy efforts, saying many Seychelles fishermen have been kidnapped by pirates, and promised to cooperate for the navy's successful campaign, presidential spokesman Park Sun-kyu said.
The two leaders also agreed to boost economic ties and civilian exchanges and cooperate on global issues, such as climate change.
President Michel called for Korea's active investment in the tourism and fisheries industries in the Seychelles, the main sources of income for the tiny African country.
Lee noted the Seychelles has become increasingly popular among Korean tourists, saying the government will step up efforts to promote civilian exchanges.
Lee also told Michel that he will consider visiting the Seychelles next year as part of an African trip.
Michel arrived here Tuesday on a three-day visit at the invitation of President Lee, becoming the first Seychelles head of state to visit Korea.
Korea and the Seychelles, which is located in the western Indian Ocean, established diplomatic relations in 1976, but the former British colony cut the ties following the Korean military junta's bloody suppression of democratic movements in Gwangju in 1980. Relations were re-established in 1995.
The Seychelles, made up of over 150 islands, is only about a quarter of Korea's Jeju Island in terms of total area, and has a population of 87,000.
Its famous beaches attract tourists from around the world, making it one of the richest countries in Africa with a per capita income of nearly $10,000.