S. Korean, Hungarian FMs discuss cooperation amid pandemic

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The foreign ministers of South Korea and Hungary met in Seoul on Monday to discuss maintaining bilateral cooperation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said.

During their meeting, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha thanked Hungary for its decision to lift entry restrictions for South Koreans and stressed that the countries continue to ensure exchanges between “essential personnel” such as businesspeople.

She also expressed gratitude over Hungary's plans to erect a monument in Budapest in memory of 25 South Korean tourists who died following a boat sinking on the Danube River last year.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who also plans to meet local business leaders during his visit, expressed hope for increased South Korean business investment to Hungary, the South Korean foreign ministry said.

According to Seoul, trade between the countries increased from $1.9 billion in 2017 to $3 billion last year.