Irish PM expresses support for Korea's efforts for denuclearization, peace
DUBLIN -- Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar expressed support on Monday for Seoul's efforts to rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons and make lasting peace with North Korea when he met with South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, Lee's office said.
Lee arrived in Dublin on Sunday for a three-day visit as part of a two-nation European trip that also took him to Austria. Lee is the first South Korean prime minister to visit Ireland in 28 years.
The visit also included a meeting with Irish President Michael D. Higgins.
During talks with Varadkar on Monday, Lee discussed ways to cooperate to realize denuclearization and permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. After receiving a detailed briefing on recent developments on the peninsula, Varadkar promised to back Seoul's position just as the country has done so far, Lee's office said.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, education, job creation and international organizations, the office said.
Lee, in particular, asked for the Irish government's support for South Korean cooks to get jobs in the European nation. Varadkar said in response that he's well aware of how talented South Korean cooks are and that his government would consider relaxing visa and work permit requirements for foreign cooks.
Last year, the two countries agreed to expand the annual quota for South Koreans eligible for "working holiday" visas from 400 to 600. The Irish government is also trying to bring in foreign cooks to address a shortage of local cooks.
Varadkar said Ireland adopted the Korean language as one of the elective subjects in high school, and Lee expressed gratitude for that. Lee also asked for the Irish government's help in efforts to set up a Trinity College campus in the South Korean city of Sejong, and Varadkar promised to help the oldest Irish public college to have a presence in South Korea.
Earlier, Lee paid a visit to President Higgins.
Higgins said during the meeting that he was moved by the recent progress in inter-Korean relations, stressing that Korean Peninsula issues are important not only to the two Koreas but also to world peace.
Lee expressed gratitude for Ireland's consistent support for Seoul's peace efforts.
Higgins also praised South Korea's contributions to the "green growth" initiative and asked Seoul to help African nations in the area.
Lee is scheduled to meet with Irish parliamentary leaders before heading home Tuesday.(Yonhap)