(LEAD) FM asks Hungary for efforts to find last S. Korean missing in boat sinking
By Kim Seung-yeon
(ATTN: REPLACES photo)
SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha asked Hungary to continue the search efforts for the last remaining South Korean tourist missing in a deadly boat sinking in Budapest, her ministry said Thursday.
Kang made the appeal during the bilateral talks with her Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjarto, earlier in the day, as she expressed appreciation for the country's assistance in the search and rescue operations in the May 29 sinking of a sightseeing boat in the Danube River.
The accident claimed 25 lives, with one South Korean still unaccounted for.
Szijjarto, in response, expressed condolences again over the accident and pledged continued cooperation in follow-up measures, including the search for the missing person and legal proceedings for those being held accountable.
On bilateral ties, they assessed the deepening bilateral relations, particularly in economic fields, with Korean investment in the European nation growing at a steady pace to US$1 billion as of end-2018.
While expressing gratitude for the increased investment, Szijjarto held out hopes that South Korea will expand its agricultural imports from his country.
The two sides also welcomed Thursday's opening of the Hungarian Cultural Institute in Seoul and agreed to work closely together to further enhance cooperation in culture and people-to-people exchanges.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Hungary was the first Eastern European country to forge formal ties with South Korea.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha (R) shakes hands with her Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjarto, ahead of their talks in Seoul on Dec. 12, 2019, in this photo provided by Seoul's foreign ministry. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
elly@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
(LEAD) N. Korean leader urges more production of weapons-grade nuclear materials; photos of tactical nuclear warheads released
-
(LEAD) Actor Yoo Ah-in questioned over alleged drug use
-
(2nd LD) S. Korea voices 'deep regrets' over Japan's controversial history textbooks
-
KF-21 prototypes successfully conduct 1st armament flight tests
-
USS Nimitz carrier to arrive in S. Korea in apparent warning to N. Korea
-
Yoon puts S. Korea-Japan relations back on track
-
Japan's removal of export curbs on S. Korea to boost supply chain stability, ease biz uncertainties
-
Yoon's summit with Biden to highlight S. Korea's 'pivotal' role in region: U.S. experts
-
(News Focus) Solution to forced labor issue shows Yoon's commitment to improving ties with Japan
-
Seoul's controversial plan for forced labor compensation reflects urgency of security partnership with Tokyo: experts