Hungarian and South Korean house speakers commemorate ship collision’s victims

Hungary considers the Republic of Korea a strategic partner, Speaker of Parliament László Kövér said after talks with his South Korean counterpart Moon Hee-sang in Budapest on Friday.

Bilateral economic, trade, cultural, tourism, scientific and research relations have developed dynamically since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, he said.

Two-way trade surpassed 2.6 billion dollars last year. The tourism turnover increased by 13-14 percent both last year and the first half of 2019, with over 170,000 South Korean arrivals registered in Hungary, Kövér added.

He noted that LOT will launch three new direct flights per week from Budapest to Seoul on September 22.

South Korea has become a key strategic partner for Hungary in the region, Kövér said.

Moon Hee-sang called it an honour that he had the opportunity to visit Hungary on the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. He expressed hope that the parliaments of South Korea and Hungary would strengthen their cooperation in future.

Moon Hee-sang further thanked Hungary for all the help it provided in connection with the ship collision on the Danube in Budapest in May in which 26 South Korean passengers and a crew of two Hungarians died.

After their talks the two politicians placed wreaths on the Danube to commemorate the ship collision’s victims.

Source: MTI