Turkish PM Yildirim leaves for South Korea visit

by Kubra Chohan

ANKARA

Turkey’s prime minister on Monday said his visit to South Korea carries special importance as falls on the 60th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations.

“Paying this visit in 2017, the Turkish Year of Culture in South Korea, is also important,” Binali Yildirim told reporters at Ankara Esenboga Airport before leaving for Seoul.

Yildirim said he will meet his South Korean counterpart Lee Nak-yeon in a one-on-one meeting, as well as in a meeting between delegations.

“I will also be received by South Korea’s President South Korean President Moon Jae-in and meet National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun”, he said.

He said that bilateral issues in politics, economics, trade, and the fight against terrorism, as well as other recent global issues, will be discussed.

He said that they are planning to develop bilateral trade “in favor of Turkey” and have “extensive cooperation” on alternative energy.

The Turkish premier is also planning to meet with representatives of South Korean companies.

Yildirim added, “We will inaugurate the new service building for our embassy in Seoul”.

The visit falls on the 60th anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations which were established in 1957 after Turkish troops fought in the Korean War.

According to South Korean sources, Turkey ranks third in the number of martyrs among the 16 countries that sent troops to the war, including the U.S. and China.

During his trip, Yildirim plans to visit the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan which honors 462 Turkish martyrs of the war.

Yildirim will be accompanied by Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Ozlu, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak, ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) Deputy Chair Hamza Dag, and South Korea Friendship Group Chairman Zeki Aygun and group’s Deputy Chairman Mehmet Akyurek.