By Abdulaziz Al-Mejren
KUWAIT, Oct 15 (KUNA) -- The Director General of Kuwait Ports Authority (KPA) Sheikh Youssef Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah affirmed Sunday depth of communication relationship with South Korea.
The KPA chief made his remarks to KUNA at Shuwaikh port on the sidelines of receiving South Korean destroyer Kang Jam Chan, accompanied by a logistic ship, which docked at the port earlier.
The two South Korean ships' visit to Kuwait is the first of its kind, he said, adding that the visit aims to bolster and enhance the two nations' joint cooperation in all fields.
KPA is keen on devoting all its potentials toward strengthening cooperation with all friendly countries in accordance with the Kuwaiti political leadership's directions, said Sheikh Yousef Al-Abdullah.
Despite their geographic distance and languages difference, Kuwait and South Korea have always enjoyed solid and distinctive ties, he noted, adding that such factors did not prevent the two countries from establishing an exceptional relationship.
The KPA chief expressed his gratitude to the participating state bodies in arranging the reception for the two ships, particularly defense, foreign, commerce, and interior ministries.
He also thanked them for their encouragement to boosting military and naval cooperation between Kuwait and South Korea.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Yousef Al-Abdullah indicated that KPA is currently working on six projects as part of the country's development plan, including linking all ports with a smart e-system, enhancing Shuwaikh port, Shuaiba ports, and Fintas bay.
Such development projects will be subjected to an intensified rehabilitation in order to pave the way for issuing related tenders, said the KPA chief.
For his part, Colonel Nayef Al-Askar of the Kuwait Naval Force affirmed the Force's keenness in boosting and enhancing joint cooperation and relationship with South Korea, particularly the military.
Colonel Al-Askar welcomed the two visiting South Korean ships and their Commander, Rear Admiral Yang Yong-mo, and conveyed to them greetings of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
He also conveyed to them greetings of Kuwaiti Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Mohammad Khaled Al-Khedr, Kuwaiti Army's Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Abdullah Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah, and Kuwaiti Naval Force' Major-General Khaled Ahmad Al-Kandari.
For his part, the Ambassador of South Korea to Kuwait Yoo Yeonchul said, in his speech at the reception, the two South Korean ships' visit to Kuwait, from Oct 15 to 18, is the first of its kind in the history of the two countries' bilateral relations since establishing their diplomatic ties in 1979.
"This visit will open new horizons for military cooperation between the two countries and will take the bilateral relations to a new level," said the Ambassador.
During their stay, the ships' crewmembers and midshipmen will visit a number of landmarks in the country such as the Grand Mosque, Kuwait Towers, Tareq Rajab Museum, and other tourist attractions, said the South Korean diplomat. (end) aam.ays.nfa.ma