(3rd LD) S. Korea, Hong Kong discuss cooperation in creative industry
(ATTN: UPDATES with details in paras 9-10)
SEOUL, Nov. 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye met with the chief executive of Hong Kong on Wednesday and discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the creative industry, Park's office said.
The visit by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying comes as both South Korea and Hong Kong are seeking to develop their creative industries as a future growth engine for their economies.
Leung's three-day stay includes visits to a Korean entertainment company and other sites related to the culture and creative industry, such as Dongdaemun Design Plaza and the Samsung Innovation Museum, and meetings with relevant officials, including Choi Yang-hee, South Korea's minister of science, ICT and future planning, according to a press release on the website of Leung's office.
"Hong Kong and South Korea have steadily developed their ties since the opening of a (South Korean) consulate in Hong Kong in 1949, and as South Korea's relations with China have recently made large progress, the potential for developing (ties) with Hong Kong appears to be growing as well," Park said during their meeting at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, citing the recent conclusion of a free trade agreement between Seoul and Beijing.
The two leaders met during a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Beijing earlier this month, but it is the first time they have held formal talks, according to the presidential office.
Leung expressed Hong Kong's wish to learn from South Korea's innovation and technology industry, saying it is considering opening an economic and trade office in the country.
"We hope more South Korean businesses will come to Hong Kong, and use it as a foothold to enter China and make use of the opportunities and incentives provided by Hong Kong," Cheong Wa Dae quoted Leung as saying.
Park also said the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the creative industry is timely and significant.
Following the meeting with Park, Leung held a meeting with Seoul's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se.
"Given positive changes in circumstances such as the virtual agreement of the free trade deal between South Korea and China, the economic cooperation between South Korea and Hong Kong is likely to strengthen," Yun was quoted as saying during the meeting.
The two officials also discussed the need to bolster cooperation in the creative industry as well as other sectors such as finance and legal services, according to the ministry.
Leung is the first chief executive of Hong Kong to officially visit South Korea since 2009.
hague@yna.co.kr
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