The President met with visiting Israeli President Shimon Peres on Thursday (Jun. 10) and exchanged opinions on cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy and science and technology.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the friendly ties that the two countries have enjoyed since their diplomatic relationship started in 1962.

President Peres, who is visiting Korea for the first time, said that Korea and Israel share many common factors like establishing its modern government in the same year (1948) and realizing fast economic growth in a short period of time. He said he hopes to see the two countries continue to strengthen cooperation in various fields.

The two presidents credited vibrant exchanges between research institutes in their two countries in the renewable energy sector. In relation to this, they agreed on the need to ramp up information exchange and joint research. The Presidents and Peres also saw that combining technology and other know-how could upgrade the competitiveness of both nations and agreed to strengthen cooperation in related fields as well.

The two presidents further exchanged views on the latest events on the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East. The President explained Korea’s position on the sinking of the Cheonan naval ship in March and expressed his wish to see continued support from Israel.