Foreign ministers of South Korea and the Philippines agreed to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries at a meeting in Seoul.

Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto G. Romulo met his South Korean counterpart Kim Sung-hwan in Seoul on Monday to discuss, among other issues, ways to promote ties in the fields of trade and investment, agriculture and energy.

Noting the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the Philippine minister also agreed to strengthen cooperation with Seoul on pending diplomatic and global affairs. The two senior officials also agreed to increase regular exchanges between senior officials from both countries and strengthen cooperation in consular affairs, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry reported.

Romulo, who arrived in the Korean capital on Sunday for a three-day visit, also visited President Lee Myung-bak later in the day.

His visit comes about five months after South Korea’s former foreign minister held talks with Romulo and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III in Manila.

The two countries had agreed to map out more safety measures for South Koreans staying in the Southeast Asian nation during the meeting.

By Shin Hae-in (hayney@heraldcorp.com)