South Korean House Speaker Kim Jin-pyo holds talks in Hungary

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Monday met Kim Jin-pyo, the chairman of the National Assembly of South Korea. House Speaker László Kövér also received Kim Jin-pyo.

Orbán praised the friendly relations between the two countries, noting that South Korea “showed trust” in Hungary’s economy right after the regime change in 1989. “They believed in Hungary becoming a success story,” Orbán said.

Hungary will continue to support South Korean economic players, a practice that has made the east Asian country the largest investor in Hungary in the past few years.

Kövér meets South Korean counterpart

House Speaker László Kövér received Kim Jin-pyo.

At a joint press conference after the talks, Kövér said interparliamentary cooperation could give momentum to ties between Hungary and South Korea. He said strategic bilateral cooperation since 2019 was “the best example” for the benefits of Hungary’s Eastern Opening policy.

House Speaker László Kövér received South Korean counterpart Kim Jin-pyo in Budapest. Photo: MTI

The speakers discussed international challenges affecting the Hungarian economy and hundreds of South Korean companies in Hungary such as inflation and high energy prices, Kövér said, adding that seeking a resolution to those problems could open up new areas for cooperation.

Kim urged joint action by Hungary and South Korea in the international arena regarding the war in Ukraine and nuclear threats by North Korea. He called Hungary “the engine of central Europe” and one of the development centres of the European Union. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1989, Hungary and South Korea have strengthened their cooperation in a number of areas, not only in business but in culture and education as well, he said.

South Korea has become one of Hungary’s largest investors, while the turnover of bilateral trade has now reached 7 billion dollars, he added.

As we wrote on May, László Kövér traveled to Seoul for an official visit, details HERE.