Seoul: External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh arrived in Seoul today (Dec 14, 2004) to participate in India-South Korea Joint Commission meeting that is expected to focus on enhancing bilateral economic and trade ties besides reviewing international situation, including North Korean nuclear issue.

Besides attending the meeting tomorrow (Dec 15, 2004), Singh, during his three-day stay, will pay a courtesy call on President Roh Moo-Hyun, lay a wreath at the National Memorial Board, participate in a luncheon hosted by the Korea-India Society, and take part in the conferment ceremony of a doctorate at Kyung Hee University.

Singh is accompanied by senior bureaucrats from several ministries including from the Information Technology ministry.

The third Joint Commission meeting will also focus on the implementation of follow-up measures to the cooperation projects in various areas such as politics, economy and culture between the two countries, sources in Seoul said.

The ties between the two countries have strengthened immensely in recent times and South Korea today is the fifth largest investor in India.

Indian Ambassador to Seoul P Ray and Director-General of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade are scheduled to sign the Korea-India Cultural Exchange Programme for 2005-2007.

The Korea-India Joint Commission is a regular consultative body between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, established by an agreement during the then South Korean President Kim Young-Sam's visit to India in February 1996.