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Yonhap, Jan 24, 2018

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev agreed Wednesday to continue working together to enhance relations between the two countries, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.

The two leaders reached the agreement during a phone call, noting that Mirziyoyev's state visit to South Korea last year created the foundation for the countries' traditionally friendly relations to be developed into a future-oriented cooperative partnership, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

The leaders also "agreed to seek ways to further enhance cooperation through the South Korea-Uzbekistan economic ministers' meeting to be held next month," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Soo-hyun said in a press release.

The telephone conversation came about two months after Moon and his Uzbek counterpart held a bilateral summit during Mirziyoyev's four-day state visit to Seoul, which began on Nov. 23.

Mirziyoyev expressed hope to further increase exchange of people and ranking officials between the two countries, noting two South Koreans recently began work as advisers to his health and labor ministers, according to the Cheong Wa Dae spokesman.

Moon promised to actively support Uzbekistan's ongoing efforts to reform its social and economic sectors.

The South Korean president also extended his condolences to the government and people of Uzbekistan over the death of 52 Uzbek passengers in a tragic accident involving a Russia-bound bus, which took place on Jan. 18, Park said. Moon sent a condolence letter to his Uzbek counterpart on Monday.

President Mirziyoyev expressed gratitude for Moon's consolation, while congratulating him on his 65th birthday.

He also asked President Moon to visit Uzbekistan at an early date to continue discussing ways to deepen the countries' strategic partnership, Park said.

Moon asked for Uzbekistan's support for the upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, which will be held here from Feb. 9-25, saying it will be a valuable chance to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.