S. Korean, Finnish premiers discuss economic cooperation

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won and his Finnish counterpart, Alexander Stubb, discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and economic cooperation during their talks on Thursday in Seoul, Chung's office said.

Chung, during the meeting, proposed enhancing cooperation in fields such as South Korea's "creative economy" vision, maritime shipping and the exploration of mineral resources, the office said.

The Finnish prime minister is in Seoul on a four-day visit, his first trip to Asia since he took office in June.

One of the key policies of South Korean President Park Geun-hye, the creative economy vision seeks to foster economic growth by turning innovative ideas into actual businesses through the use of advanced technology.

Chung also urged efforts to win an early signing of a social security cooperation pact agreed upon by the two countries during his visit to Finland last year.

In response, the Finnish premier vowed his country's full efforts to strengthen practical cooperative ties based on similarities between the two countries' history, language and economic development, the office said.

The South Korean official also thanked Stubb for Finland's active support and cooperation on South Korea's denuclearization policy toward North Korea, to which Stubb once again confirmed his country's consistent and firm support, it said.

After the talks, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on South Korea-Finland maritime cooperation with their prime ministers in attendance.

Earlier in the day, President Park met with the Finnish prime minister and expressed hope that South Korea and Finland will further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Park and Stubb discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation on sectors such as defense, energy infrastructure and construction, according to the presidential office. (Yonhap)