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South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan and his Philippine counterpart Alberto Romulo discussed ways to strengthen their countries' cooperation in industry, trade and consular affairs, the ministry said Monday.

During their meeting at Kim's official residence in Seoul, the two ministers exchanged views on building a multi-industry cluster (MIC) in the Philippines as part of the South Korean government's development aid program, according to a ministry statement. The MIC will focus on developing the Philippines' agriculture and fisheries sectors, as well as promoting the use of green energy there, such as water and wind power. South Korea expects to complete its search for an appropriate site by March.

Romulo also agreed to further support South Korean firms doing business in his country through "continuous and predictable policies for attracting investment," while Kim forecasted two-way trade to exceed US$10 billion this year, the statement said.

The Philippine foreign secretary also showed interest in South Korea's nuclear power technology and said he would bring up the issue of cooperating with South Korea back home to introduce the use of nuclear power in his country.

Kim asked for Romulo's special attention and support for some 115,000 South Korea nationals living in the Southeast Asian nation, while pledging to improve working and living conditions for the 40,000 Philippine nationals in South Korea.

Romulo also expressed his full support for South Korea's policy toward North Korea in light of the communist nation's artillery attack on a front-line island on Nov. 23 and its nuclear programs.

The Philippine minister, who arrived for a three-day trip on Sunday, also met with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak later in the day. His visit comes nearly five months after former South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan traveled to Manila to hold talks with Romulo and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III.

Source: Yonhap News (Jan. 10, 2011)