S. Korean president calls for cooperation with Iran

SEOUL, March 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak urged increased
cooperation between his country and Iran in a meeting Monday with the visiting
head of the Iranian judiciary branch.

"It has been a long time since the relationship between the two countries was
forged and the economic relationship between the countries is working very
actively," the president told Ayatollah Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Sharudi.
"I hope your visit will be an opportunity for the two countries to start working
together, not only in the economic sector but also in various other sectors," Lee
told Sharudi. The visiting official is said to be one of the three highest
leaders of Iran, along with the Iranian president and the head of the Majlis, or
the Parliament.
Seoul and Tehran established diplomatic ties in 1962.
The meeting was also attended by Seoul's Second Vice Foreign Minister Shin
Kak-soo and Shin Jae-hyun, ambassador for energy cooperation. Iran is one of the
world's largest oil producers.
Sharudi agreed with the need to expand the bilateral relationship and invited Lee
to visit his country.
"I bring warm greetings from the Iranian government, and specifically from our
President (Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad and I convey his personal invitation to visit our
country, Iran," he said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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