By Park Si-soo
Korea and Ukraine agreed to seek an extensive partnership in science and technology during talks between the two countries’ prime ministers, the Seoul government said Thursday.
Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and his Ukrainian counterpart Nikolay Azarov agreed to expand cooperation by making the most of Korea’s advanced information technology and Ukraine’s expertise in the aerospace and defense sectors.
Kim unveiled the bright prospects of the deal, saying it could create a “win-win model with mutual benefits for both countries.”
“The combination of Ukraine’s globally renowned basic science technology and South Korea’s commercialization ability will create a win-win model for the two countries to benefit from,” Kim said in a press conference following the meeting in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine.
In response, Azarov urged Korea to utilize Ukraine’s potential and infrastructure in developing its aerospace technology.
“We are ready to fully cooperate with South Korea for its aerospace technology advancement,” said the Ukrainian prime minister.
The two leaders promised to make joint efforts to revitalize the economy by luring foreign investment to benefit both sides, Kim's office said. They also pledged to actively explore the possibility of jointly producing bullet trains following a Korean firm’s success in exporting 300 million won ($253,979) worth of such trains, the office said.
In addition, the two countries agreed to build an inter-governmental cooperation channel to support civilian investment in future joint agricultural projects.
Korea and Ukraine established diplomatic relations in 1992. The two-way trade between the countries totaled some $1.5 billion in 2010.
Kim arrived in Kiev Wednesday for the second leg of his two-nation tour that also took him to Bulgaria earlier this week.
In a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Kim said Korea will cooperate with the European nation in such fields as renewable energy, infrastructure, e-government and agriculture.
They also signed a deal that would recognize the validity of driver's licenses issued by the other country as part of efforts to enhance public convenience. The Bulgarian prime minister said it was his country's first deal of this kind with an Asian nation, which took effect Wednesday.
Kim is scheduled to return home on Sunday via Russia after visiting an aircraft factory and sitting down with local business figures.