S. Korea supports resumption of Palestine-Israel peace talks, Lee says

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak expressed hope
Wednesday that peace talks between Palestine and Israel will resume at an early
date and also pledged continued humanitarian aid for Palestinian people, Lee's
office said after his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Abbas arrived here earlier in the day as part of his Asian tour, becoming the
first Palestinian president to visit South Korea.
The leaders "exchanged opinions on issues of mutual concern including ways to
promote bilateral cooperation," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.
Lee was briefed on Palestine-Israel relations and said he believes the problem
will be resolved through dialogue and compromise, it added. Peace negotiations
between Israel and Palestine have remained stalled for more than a year.
Abbas said Palestine hopes to learn from South Korea's rapid economic growth,
coupled with democratization, and expressed his gratitude to South Korea for its
aid to Palestinians.
Seoul has provided US$33 million worth of economic support for Palestinian people
since 1991, according to officials.
"President Lee said that South Korea will continue efforts to help Palestine's
stable growth," Cheong Wa Dae said.
South Korea set up a diplomatic mission in Palestine in 2005, recognizing the
Palestinian National Authority as the sole legitimate administrative organization
to govern the area. South Korea respects Palestine's rights under a related U.N.
resolution but it does not acknowledge Palestine as a sovereign country.
Abbas was to attend a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Chung Un-chan later in the
day and he is scheduled to depart Seoul on Thursday.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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