Manama: South Korea said that it was ready to support Bahrain in managing crises and disasters and in countering terrorism as Manama expressed keenness on ensuring further security cooperation with Seoul.
The reinforcement of cooperation in general safety management at various levels, from routine accidents to major disasters, figured high on the agenda of the talks of Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the interior minister, with South Korean officials in Seoul, a statement from the interior ministry said.
The talks also covered plans required to achieve security and safety for residents and the two sides agreed to cooperate in the management of crises and disasters and to coordinate on e-government projects.
“National Emergency Management Agency Administrator Yeon Soo Park expressed his country‘s readiness to provide any support and cooperation to Bahrain in the security field,” the ministry said on Tuesday.
Commissioner of the National Police Agency General Lee Sung Han said that South Korea was ready to cooperate in fighting terrorism.
Shaikh Rashid, whose visit reflected Bahrain’s expanding engagement with Asian countries, hailed the development of security in South Korea and lauded the reputation of its police in the areas of discipline and professionalism. “This is what has motivated us to reinforce security cooperation by exchanging expertise,” he said.
“Shaikh Rashid said that the maintenance of general safety was a priority for his ministry and expressed Bahrain’s resolve to benefit from the experience and expertise of South Korea in this regard,” the statement said.
The Crown Prince last year made a landmark visit to South Korea that was termed as “highly positive” by officials in the two capitals.
Shaikh Rashid who on Monday was received by Prime Minister Jung Hong-won at the start of his official visit, has highlighted Bahrain’s interest in reinforcing “cooperation to tackle crises and disasters and deal with chemical and nuclear threats that would become a priority in the next phase of national protection”.
South Korea’s National Emergency Management Administrator Nam Sang Hua “expressed readiness to cooperate and coordinate with the ministry of interior to provide the required support in his field”.
