A 10-member Korean youth delegation is currently in the Kingdom.

This youth exchange program comes within the framework of a cultural protocol endorsed by the two countries in 1974, which has led Riyadh and Seoul to step up efforts to promote understanding, friendship and cultural relations.

“The exchange of youth missions will reinforce our relations further,” said Kim Jong-yong, the newly appointed South Korean Ambassador, in Riyadh on Wednesday.

Kim, who presented a copy of his credentials to Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal this week, expressed hopes that relations between the two countries will be further consolidated during his tenure.

Kim, who arrived in Riyadh on Sept. 29, is a career diplomat and a specialist in Arab culture with 26 years of vast experience in the areas of diplomacy, research and public life.

The new envoy, who served as executive director for the Korea International Cooperation Agency and also as South Korean ambassador to Qatar before being posted in Saudi Arabia, had served in several other countries including Canada, Morocco and the UK.

Kim said that the South Korean youth delegation visited the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, King Saud University, King Abdul Aziz Historical Center, King Fahd International Stadium, and the Jeddah-based King Abdulaziz University.

The Korean youth mission, which will wrap up its 10-day visit to the Kingdom on Thursday, also visited the South Korean Embassy and met the ambassador.

The 10-member Saudi youth delegation, according to the envoy, will visit several cities and places of cultural interest in South Korea.

He pointed out that they would have extensive opportunities to interact with the young Korean people during their visit. The exchange of youth missions reflect the keen interest of the two nations to promote mutual understanding and friendship, he added.

“On commercial, cultural and educational fronts, the Kingdom and South Korea have already forged closer ties,” said the new ambassador, who also worked as ambassador for energy and resources for South Korean government.

A graduate from Hankook University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, Kim also did a degree at the University of Qatar, graduating in 1984, as well as serving as director for the Middle East division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul.