By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea and Thailand on Wednesday agreed to expand cooperation in the defense industry, pledging to work closely to address transnational crimes, including online scams, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
South Korea’s First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo met with Thailand’s permanent secretary for foreign affairs, Eksiri Pintaruchi, in Seoul for the bilateral strategic dialogue, according to Yonhap News.
Noting the steady progress in bilateral relations since the launch of the new governments in both countries, the diplomats agreed to push for "future-oriented cooperation" in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation.
"They also agreed to expand partnership in defense and the defense industry and seek ways to work together in addressing transnational crimes, including online scams and narcotics-related offenses, and maintain close communication to strengthen international coordination, including with ASEANAPOL," the ministry said.
ASEANAPOL is a regional platform for law enforcement agencies of the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to share intelligence and conduct joint operations.
The two sides also discussed regional and global issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and cooperation between South Korea and ASEAN.