South Korea's Lee to hold summit with East Timor president on ties
Horta, a 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner, is on a three-day visit, the first by an East Timorese leader since ties began in 2002.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was set to hold a summit with East Timorese President Jose Ramos-Horta in Seoul on Friday, South Korea's national news agency Yonhap reported.
Horta arrived in South Korea a day earlier for a three-day trip at Lee's invitation, the first visit to South Korea by an East Timorese leader since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 2002.
The two leaders are expected to discuss ways to expand cooperation in security, intellectual property, climate change, education and people-to-people exchanges, as well as regional security and other international issues.
The presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, said the leaders will sign memorandums of understanding between the two countries and hold a joint press announcement after the talks.
A luncheon will follow the summit, with dishes that blend the two countries' food traditions, including chicken drumsticks marinated in Korean sauce, a popular dish in East Timor.
Because rice is a staple in East Timor, the lunch will feature traditional Korean cuisine, also rice-based, and coffee from East Timor will be served, the presidential office said.
Lee plans to give Horta several Korean products, including an art book on miniature paintings of rare Korean plants and red ginseng, Cheong Wa Dae said.
In an X post the day before the visit, Lee said, "I hope this visit will mark another important milestone in our enduring friendship."
Lee also noted that the two countries will mark the 25th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year.
Horta won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996, and East Timor became independent in 2002, the same year the two countries set up diplomatic ties.
