By staff writers
Shimon Peres, President of Israel, made an official visit to South Korea in June, symbolically the first ever by an Israeli President.

The President’s delegation included Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Labor, Moshe Kahlon, Minister of Communication, and over 60 business leaders from the telecommunication, security, infrastructure, and high-tech sectors.

Shortly after landing, President Peres said, “We came to Korea to offer friendship and to deepen the strategic, political and economic ties between our countries.” President Peres held summit talks with President Lee Myung-bak at the Blue House, as well as an official dinner hosted by the president.

The two leaders expressed great satisfaction over the friendly ties that the two countries have enjoyed since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962.

They discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy, science and technology. And exchanged views on recent developments in the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula. Before their meeting, Peres laid a wreath at the National Cemetery in Seoul.

Peres visited Daedeok Science and Research Park and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, where he was greeted by the robot  HUBO, in a showcase of Korea’s recent advances in artificial intelligence. He also held a roundtable luncheon and discussion with the heads of the science institutes at Daedeok Complex and had a demonstration ride of the On-Line Electric Bus.

In addition the President gave a keynote speech in a luncheon hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries and other major trade organisations, where he addressed numerous business leaders from South Korea and Israel.