South Korea and the United States agreed to strengthen cooperation in disaster control and security crisis management areas in the face of heightened terrorism concerns, the government said Sunday.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Security said the two sides concurred during the weeklong disaster and security management meeting in Washington that there is a need to forge a close communication channel to exchange information on terrorism and ways to respond to disaster situations.

The understanding was reached at talks between Public Safety Minister Park In-yong and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson.

The two partners held talks from Sunday to Friday last week,

Besides the broader agreement, Seoul's security and disaster control ministry said it will increase ties with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as well as engage in training programs with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

It said in the future South Korean Coast Guard planes operating in the North Pacific on search and rescue missions can land and refuel at USCG stations in Alaska.

Moreover, a South Korean firefighter will be dispatched to the U.S. Fire Administration each year to take part in a training program.

The ministry, meanwhile, said with disaster and terrorism attacks taking place around the world, close cooperating is vital.

It said South Korea plans to expand ties and set up a cooperative network with countries like China, Russia and Australia. (Yonhap)