Several memoranda of understanding were signed between Israel and South Korea during President Reuven Rivlin's state visit to Seoul. The president has been in the country since Sunday.This is Rivlin's second visit to South Korea. He was there 17 years ago in his capacity as Communications Minister.
In the course of a bilateral business forum hosted by the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) MOUs were signed between the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Israel Export Institute. Another MOU in the field of robotics was signed between the institute and the Daegu municipality.
Both Israel and South Korea are interested in finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and South Korea is also keen on acquiring the Iron Dome, especially in light of the security threats it is confronting.
Other agreements signed during the visit were in the realms of energy and education.“We faced great challenges, so we had to develop great solutions,” Rivlin said.” We see challenges as opportunities – this is the secret of Israel as a start-up nation."
Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee responded by saying that his country hopes the FTA will be signed soon. He further said that the Talmud “teaches us that if your friend has vegetables, offer him meat,” driving home the necessity of the two countries raising each other up.