The President and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao held talks on pending issues concerning the two countries at the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Friday (May 28).

During the extended summit meeting that followed a one‐on‐one meeting with the President, the Chinese Premier said that South Korea and China have established a strategic cooperative partnership for some time, building trust between the two nations and maintaining communications in regards to North Korea’s nuclear program. Wen pointed out that Korea and China have cooperated in dealing with many global issues and that China will continue to work with Korea to enhance their existing partnership.

The President agreed, saying that never have ties between Korea and China shown this much progress since the opening diplomatic relations in 1992. Now the cooperation has spread to areas of politics, society, diplomacy, education, culture and even military, he added. The President and Wen decided to extend exchanges in those areas and also agreed to reopen a Korea‐China employment permit system, among others.

The President also explained Seoul’s position on the sinking of the Cheonan naval ship that suffered a torpedo attack according to the results of an international investigation, and repeatedly called for China’s support in imposing sanctions on North Korea, which has been found responsible for the sinking. The two leaders had an in‐depth discussion for over an hour and agreed to keep in close touch on regional matters.