Korea and Ecuador agree to more trade

President Kim Dae-jung held a summit meeting Monday with President Gustavo Noboa of Ecuador. The two leaders discussed expanding trade and the sharing of information technology between their countries, while agreeing on more cultural and sports exchanges as well. Mr. Noboa arrived Sunday in Seoul for a four-day visit, becoming the first president of Ecuador to visit Korea since 1962.

Mr. Kim and Mr. Noboa released a joint statement at the news conference after the meeting, which commemorated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. The statement called for future cooperation between Ecuador and Korea as two Pacific Rim nations. Mr. Noboa expressed his hope that Ecuador be allowed to join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Mr. Kim expressed his support for Mr. Noboa's hope. Korea is a founding member of the 21-member forum.

by Chun Young-gi