Park to depart for Iran to seek opportunities

SEOUL, April 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Park Geun-hye will leave for Iran on Sunday to help South Korean businesses expand into the Middle East's least-tapped market, Cheong Wa Dae said.

Park is the first South Korean president to visit Iran since the two countries formed diplomatic ties in 1962. Her trip that will last through Wednesday comes after a landmark nuclear pact between the United States and Iran that has led to the alleviation of international sanctions on the Islamic country.

In Iran, Park and her counterpart Hassan Rouhani will discuss ways to boost cooperation between the two countries and touch base on the issue of North Korea's nuclear program and security on the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean presidential office said.

She is also pushing for a meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which is expected to significantly enhance South Korea-Iran relations.

She will bring the largest business delegation ever of 236 and accompany them to a business forum there.

sojungpark@yna.co.kr
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