S. Korea, Norway discuss ways to expand defense, tech cooperation

SEOUL, Oct. 14 (Yonhap) -- Senior diplomats of South Korea and Norway on Wednesday discussed expanding cooperation in defense, technology and various other fields and agreed to strengthen bilateral ties, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Chung Eui-hye, deputy foreign minister for political affairs, met with Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik in Seoul and exchanged views on the situations on the Korean Peninsula, in the Middle East and in Ukraine, according to the ministry.

Chung expressed hope for expanded cooperation in defense, fisheries and advanced technology, while calling for Norway's continued support for South Korean companies involved in infrastructure construction projects in the European country.

She also highlighted their special ties, forged through Norway's dispatch of a medical support unit during the 1950-53 Korean War, and welcomed continued high-level exchanges, including a summit between their leaders on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in July.

Kravik noted that bilateral relations have grown closer in recent years and expressed hope that Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store would visit South Korea at a mutually convenient time.

Kravik also expressed hope for stronger cooperation with South Korea and other like-minded countries in addressing key global issues, including artificial intelligence (AI), multilateralism and the rules-based international order.

"The two sides also exchanged views on major international and regional issues, including the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East and the war in Ukraine, and agreed to strengthen cooperation as trusted partners amid growing geopolitical uncertainties," the ministry said in a release.

graceoh@yna.co.kr
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