SEOUL, Nov. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Colombia agreed during foreign ministerial talks Wednesday to bolster bilateral cooperation in areas of healthcare, digital transition and climate change to overcome the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong met with his Colombian counterpart, Marta Lucía Ramírez, to discuss ways to strengthen ties in various areas, following the summit between the two nations in August.

Ramirez was in Seoul to attend the Korea-Pacific Alliance Green Economy Forum held earlier in the day, which was attended by three other Pacific Alliance members, including Chile, Peru and Mexico.

Ramirez, who doubles as Colombia's vice president, vowed support for South Korea's bid to become an associate member of the four-nation alliance, they said.

The two sides also agreed to further deepen their "strategic partnership," as the two nations mark the 60th anniversary of forging diplomatic relations next year.

Later in the day, Ramirez visited South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum.

During the meeting, Kim called for expanding the two countries' cooperation to digital innovation, environment friendly infrastructure, renewable energy, health care and other diverse areas.

Ramirez appreciated South Korea's provision of COVID-19 supplies and sharing of experience of fighting the virus.

She also expressed hopes to extend the bilateral partnership in shipbuilding, airline, bio, food and Korean beauty products.

Ramirez is scheduled to visit Busan on Thursday to attend the international memorial event for the United Nation war veterans.

Source: Yonhap News Agency