S. Korean minister to visit RI

S. Korean minister to visit RI

SEOUL, South Korea (AP): South Korean State Minister for Trade Han Duk-soo will visit Indonesia and India in early May to promote trade and economic cooperation, his office said Saturday.

During a four-day visit to Indonesia starting on Wednesday, Han will pay a courtesy call on President Abdurrahman Wahid and meet with transportation and other ministers to discuss Indonesia's national car project.

South Korea's Kia Motor Co. invested US$100 million in the Indonesian car project before it was suspended in late 1997 amid the Asian economic crisis.

During a state visit to South Korea early this year, the Indonesian president expressed strong hope for a resumption of the project.

The South Korean minister then will visit India for six days starting on May 7 for discussion on ways of promoting cooperation in telecommunications, software and small businesses, his office said.