RIYADH – Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, and South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin signed a defense cooperation agreement here Tuesday. “The pact is expected to boost cooperation in defense as well as in a variety of other fields between the two nations in the future,” Seoul's Defense Ministry said. During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to establish a military attache at the Saudi Embassy in Seoul, which will also handle military affairs in Japan, the ministry said. The signing came one year after President Lee Myung-bak visited Saudi Arabia for greater economic and defense cooperation. Kim also delivered a message to the Crown Prince from South Korean President-elect Park Geun-hye. In a separate meeting, the South Korean Defense Minister decorated Prince Miteb Bin Abdullah, Minister of State, Cabinet member and Commander of the National Guard, with the Medal of Excellence for Diplomatic Service. The medal comes in recognition of Prince Miteb's contribution to the promotion of friendship and cooperation between South Korea and the Kingdom. Prince Miteb presented to Kim the Shield of the National Guard. Kim expressed his government's appreciation for the positive role played by the Kingdom under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, noting the depth of the strong relationship between South Korea and the Kingdom. Prince Miteb highlighted the existing friendly relations between the two countries and praised the keenness of the leadership of the two countries to consolidate and develop these relations in all fields. – SG/SPA
