JEDDAH: Korean Consul General Nak-young Oh has hailed the growing relations with Saudi Arabia and vowed strategic partnership with the Kingdom.

He was speaking on the occasion of the Republic of Korea’s National Foundation Day at a hotel here recently.

Nak welcomed the chief guest, Adel Abdurrahman Bakhsh, deputy director general, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Makkah region) and director of protocol department, diplomats, elite guests, members of the community and journalists on the occasion.

He expressed gratitude for the hospitality of the Kingdom and said Korea and Saudi Arabia have developed strong ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962. “During the 1970s and 1980s, many Korean companies, along with Saudi companies, played a key role in modernizing infrastructure in the Kingdom,” he said.

“Our bilateral relations were built in this way and such high reputation is still the basic of our strong relations. We are witnessing dramatic changes in every corner of the world; the whole world is facing economic downturn and its serious consequences,” he said.

Korea and Saudi Arabia are making great efforts toward economic recovery and sustainable development.

“Saudi Arabia is shifting from the existing model of growth to a new paradigm of sustainable one. In this era of interdependence between countries, we shall overcome challenges we face hand in hand, together with other international partners. Korea is ready to cooperate with the Kingdom for strategic partnership in wide range of areas,” he said.

Nak said that since the visit of President Park Guen-hye early march of this year, more Korean companies with hi-technology are willing and ready to cooperate with Saudi partners in various fields such as health, clean energy, science and technology and food security, beside construction and energy.