Seoul: Senior diplomats from South Korea and Thailand have reached an agreement to expand cooperation in both the defense sector and the defense industry, while also committing to combat transnational crimes such as online scams, as announced by the South Korean foreign ministry.

According to Yonhap News Agency, First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and Eksiri Pintaruchi, Thailand's permanent secretary for foreign affairs, engaged in a bilateral strategic dialogue. During this meeting, the two officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their partnership. The discussions highlighted the progress made in bilateral relations following the establishment of new governments in both countries, with a focus on fostering "future-oriented cooperation" in areas like artificial intelligence and digital innovation.

The ministry's release indicated that both nations agreed on expanding their partnership in defense and the defense industry. They also explored collaborative efforts to address transnational crimes, including online scams and narcotics-related offenses, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining communication to enhance international coordination through platforms such as ASEANAPOL, the regional law enforcement network of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Additionally, both sides recognized the importance of finalizing the ongoing negotiations on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a free trade agreement aimed at broadening economic cooperation and exchanges beyond market access. Park urged Thailand to address challenges faced by South Korean companies in Thailand, including regulatory and local hiring issues. In response, Eksiri expressed Thailand's willingness to consider these concerns, acknowledging the country's interest in attracting foreign investment.

The talks also covered regional and global issues, including developments on the Korean Peninsula and collaborative efforts between South Korea and ASEAN.