Leaders of S. Korea, Slovenia agree to boost bilateral cooperation

SEOUL, Feb. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Slovenian President Borut Pahor agreed Tuesday to enhance their countries' bilateral cooperation in various areas, including global efforts to denuclearize North Korea. In a bilateral summit held at South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, the two leaders stressed the need to expand the countries' cooperation on political, economic, social and cultural matters. "I also hope to hold in-depth discussions on ways to increase our cooperation in the international arena," Moon said, according to Cheong Wa Dae pool reports. Pahor arrived here Monday, becoming the first president of Slovenia to visit South Korea. The Slovenian head of state praised Moon for his efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. "I am only one of the EU's leaders, but I believe the EU needs to more actively get involved in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, which is a very important security issue currently drawing the attention of the world," Pahor said through his translator. "We wonder how we can help and I wish to listen to the president's opinion on the issue," he added, according to the pool reports. Moon expressed gratitude for Slovenia's continued support for his country's North Korea policy and stressed the need to maintain the ongoing dialogue with the communist North to enable the resumption of international discussions on ending the North's nuclear ambition. "President Moon asked for President Pahor's cooperation so that the dialogue between South and North Koreas that came before the Winter Olympic Games will contribute to efforts to create an environment for dialogue on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula after the Olympics," Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release. The divided Koreas held three rounds of talks last month to discuss the North's participation in the ongoing PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games here. Moon and Pahor also agreed to boost the countries' cooperation in the logistics sector and noted that Slovenia's southwestern city of Koper serves as a gateway for South Korean shipments to central and eastern Europe. The bilateral summit was followed by lunch hosted by the South Korean president. bdk@yna.co.kr (END)