(LEAD) Korea, Brunei agree to boost ties, expand economic cooperation

(ATTN: UPDATES with remarks from a Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson)
By Byun Duk-kun
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, June 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak
and the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, agreed to boost their countries'
bilateral ties Monday, calling for increased cooperation in the IT and
shipbuilding industries.

The agreement came in a bilateral summit held here on the sidelines of a special
summit between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"President Lee and Sultan Bolkiah noted the cooperation between their countries
in the energy and natural resource sectors has significantly increased and agreed
to expand their cooperation to other areas, such as IT and shipbuilding
industries, where substantial cooperation can be made," Seoul's presidential
office Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.
The leaders also agreed to increase personnel exchanges between their countries,
noting social and cultural exchanges will help further improve their ties, it
said.
Brunei's monarch expressed concerns over North Korea's recent nuclear test,
saying he was deeply concerned about the current security situation in Northeast
Asia, according to Kim Eun-hye, a vice spokeswoman for Cheong Wa Dae.
"Sultan Bolkiah said he had serious concerns about the current situation in the
region, noting security in Asia was very important," Kim told a press briefing.
President Lee expressed appreciation for what he called ASEAN's "unified" voice
and support for Seoul's efforts to secure peace and stability in the region, she
said.
Lee and Bolkiah will be joined later Monday by nine other leaders of ASEAN for
the start of the special Korea-ASEAN summit that marks the 20th anniversary of
the establishment of a dialogue partnership between the sides. The summit ends
Tuesday.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)