RIYADH: Several young Saudi university students recently visited South Korea to learn more about the country’s academic programs at various top higher education institutions.

During the trip, the students met with their counterparts and participated in various cultural and academic programs. A Korean embassy official said on Sunday the trip was to promote cultural and other ties between the two countries.

The official said there were 570 Saudi students studying in South Korea. In 2013, there were 444 compared to 224 in 2012, 133 in 2011, 78 in 2010, 78 in 2009 and 69 in 2008.

The Saudi students also toured various historic sites including the football stadium that hosted the soccer World Cup in 2002 and a traditional Korean village, where they saw local handicrafts and traditional Korean clothes.