President Shimon Peres is leading a special delegation that includes the ministers of industry & trade, communications, and 60 business leaders from the premier Israeli companies in the security, infrastructure, communication, high-tech, and water industries.

The aim of the visit is to strengthen the strategic, economic, and political ties between Israel and South Korea.

President Shimon Peres departed today, Tuesday, for his official visit which was downgraded from an official state visit by the S. Koreans in response to the Gaza flotilla commando operation.

The President will begin his visit by meeting with the leaders of the Korean government including President Lee Myung-bak and other top ministers. During these meetings the President hopes to discuss the political relationship between the two countries and the potential for increased economic and technological cooperation.

The President will also tour several Korean research and development centers, speak with prominent public figures, and meet with the CEOs of cutting-edge, innovative companies. The President will go on a special tour of KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), a research institute that houses the Korean space industry, several biotech, nanotech, and high-tech centers, and a new center for alternative energy. This tour as well as other steps will aim to increase economic and technological cooperation between the two countries’ business communities. The President is expected to attend the signing ceremony for cooperation between the Korean institution KIST (Korean Institute of Science and Technology) and the Weizmann Institute of Science.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)