South Korea is keen to strengthen cultural ties with the Kingdom, especially among the young generation, to promote mutual understanding and solidarity, said Jin-soo, Korean ambassador to Riyadh.

In an interview with Arab News, Kim asserted that since the establishment of official diplomatic relations in 1962, relations between the two countries have strengthened year after year. He added that the Kingdom and Korea are now the fourth largest trade partners, with the volume of trade reaching $46.5 billion in 2013.

The ambassador noted that the two countries have expanded the scope of cooperation to encompass defense, health, culture and education fields.

“Korea and the Kingdom are focusing on enriching cultural and people-to-people exchanges, especially among the young generation. We have realized that these exchanges are the most effective and steadiest means to promote mutual understanding, friendship and solidarity,” he underlined.

He indicated that since he arrived in the Kingdom, almost nine months ago, the country has been undergoing dynamic development and is in the midst of ushering a knowledge-based advanced economy.

He maintained that the Kingdom is rich with Arab and Islamic civilization.

Regarding visits between South Korean and Saudi officials, he said: “We have attached great importance to the exchange of high ranking officials and agreed to implement more frequent visits between the two countries, which would certainly be instrumental in enhancing bilateral relations.”

After the South Korean president’s official visit to the Kingdom in February 2012, the two countries have witnessed 20 ministerial-level exchanges so far, he said.

“I strongly believe that the exchange of senior officials will continue in the coming years,” he added.

The diplomat observed that the South Korea-Saudi craft exhibition was a success and in upcoming months plans are under way to hold a Korean food festival and establish a Korean corner in Saudi universities.

“We should not stay self-complacent with the current commercial, trade-based partnership,” he said.

“Now that we have reshuffled the Saudi-Korea Business Council this year successfully, we are confident that our Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency and the Saudi Export Development Agency will closely collaborate to further promote business delegation visits between our two countries,” he added.

He asserted that the two countries are headed toward further enhancing ties, citing a few instances of cooperation, such as their collaboration in the field of human resources development and ICT-based industry through active exchanges among universities and think tanks.