Korea, Thailand agree to expand cooperation, trade By Byun Duk-kun

PATTAYA, Thailand, April 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed Friday to improve their countries' bilateral ties and expand economic cooperation.

The agreement came in a summit between the two leaders held on this resort island
where the South Korean president and prime ministers of Japan and China will meet
with 10 member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on
Saturday.
Lee arrived here earlier Friday on a three-day trip.
In the summit, the South Korean president proposed Seoul and Bangkok increase
their bilateral cooperation in developing new sources of renewable and nuclear
energy, according to Seoul's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
"President Lee stressed the need to further develop ties between the two
countries that greatly improved over the past half century since they were
established in 1958 by transforming the relationship into a future-oriented
partnership," Cheong Wa Dae said in a released statement.
Abhisit agreed and said the countries must actively seek new areas where they can
cooperate, it said.
The Thai prime minister, serving as ASEAN chairman, welcomed the agreement signed
Thursday between South Korea and ASEAN on bilateral investments, one of four
sectors for an envisioned free trade deal along with merchandise, services and
dispute settlement.
An agreement on merchandise took effect last year while a deal on services will
be enforced from next month.
"The two leaders expressed hope their countries will make progress in discussions
on establishing financial cooperation between ASEAN countries and East Asia at
the upcoming ASEAN Plus Three summit and agreed to work closely together toward
that end," Cheong Wa Dae said.
Lee will also take part in an annual regional forum called the East Asia Summit
that will be attended Sunday by ASEAN member nations, Japan, China, India,
Australia and New Zealand.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)