South Korea seeks close security cooperation with Germany

Apr 20, 2007, 12:39 GMT

Seoul - South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun on Friday expressed a desire for closer security and defence cooperation between his country and Germany.

Speaking with German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung in Seoul, Roh expressed the hope 'that exchanges of military personnel and cooperation in the defence industry will be elevated a step higher on the occasion of (Jung's) visit.'

Roh added that cooperation between the two countries would lead to peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.

Jung is also set to meet South Korean Defence Minister Kim Jang Soo for talks on the security situation in Asia and cooperation in the defence industry.

It was not made clear whether the planned sale of Patriot anti- aircraft missiles from Germany to South Korea was discussed. Both countries however are to reach an agreement on a price for the missiles soon, Kim Jung Sup, head of the international defence policy in the South Korean Defence Ministry, said before the talks.

Jung, who arrived in South Korea on Friday after visits to China and Japan, is also set to discuss developments in the six-nation talks on an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

The German minister is to visit the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea on Saturday.