LOC11:28
08:28 GMT
TOKYO, Aug 6 (KUNA) -- Senior defense officials of South Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held talks on Wednesday to discuss the security situation and ways to advance their defense and arms industry cooperation, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing Seoul's Defense Ministry.
The vice defense ministerial-level steering committee meeting between South Korea's Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee and his UAE counterpart Ibrahim Nasser Al-Alawi took place in Seoul earlier in the day, the ministry said.
In the meeting, the officials agreed to expand joint training and exchanges of personnel as well as push for long-term cooperation in the arms industry and the defense science and technology sector.
They also exchanged opinions on key issues, including the security situation, on which the UAE official expressed support for dialogue and diplomacy in Seoul's efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to the ministry.
In April, the two countries signed a letter of intent for comprehensive cooperation on South Korea's homegrown KF-21 fighter jets.
Under the preliminary agreement, the UAE Air Force will be able to observe air drills involving the KF-21 and visit South Korean units that will operate the fighter jet. (end)
mk.aai