S. Korea, Russia Hold Talks on Closer Military Cooperation

The chiefs of South Korean and Russian armed forces held talks Monday and discussed promoting military cooperation between the two nations, Seoul's officials said.

South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chairman Han Min-koo and his Russian counterpart, Nikolai Makarov, discussed boosting exchanges of military personnel, aircraft and warships, the JCS said in a statement.

Han and Makarov, who arrived in Seoul Sunday for a three-day visit, also shared views on security conditions on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, the statement said.

During the visit, Makarov plans to meet South Korean Defense Minister Kim Tae-young and pay his respects at the National Cemetery.

"The visit by Makarov is expected to foster a friendly relationship between the countries' armed forces and upgrade the relationship to a strategic partnership in the wake of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations," the JCS said in the statement.

South Korea and Russia established diplomatic ties in 1990.

[English News Team]