Roh Asks Support for Zaytun Unit’s Supply Route at ROK-Turkey Summit Meeting

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun became the first Korean head of state to visit Turkey since diplomatic ties were established in 1957.

After his state visit to Germany for four nights and five days, President Roh arrived in Turkey on April 14 and had a summit meeting with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer at the presidential palace in Ankara on April 15.

Roh asked the Turkish government to support Korea’s Zaytun troops in Arbil to secure their safety and supply route in case of emergency. President Sezer promised strong cooperation.

The two leaders agreed to develop the relationship that the two countries have built since the Korean War in 1950 into a friendly partnership. During the Korean War, Turkey deployed 15,000 soldiers, the third largest number among all U.N. nations that had sent troops.

Following the summit meeting, President Roh met Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) speaker Bulent Arinc. President Roh will travel to Istanbul, the center of Turkey’s industry and finance, on April 16 and hold a social meeting with Korean residents.

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com