South Korea to help Russia in fighting forest fires - president

SEOUL, August 9 (Itar-Tass) -- South Korea will render emergency
assistance to Russia in fighting forest and peat fires, as follows from a
special instruction President Lee Myung-Bak issued to the government
agencies concerned on Monday, the secretariat of the head of state said.
"President Lee Myung-Bak has received a government report saying
Russia faces challenges in extinguishing forest fires, and he has given
instructions to render emergency assistance," the presidential secretary
for public relations, Hong Sang-pyo, said. "The offered assistance will
include fire-fighting equipment, machinery and materials crucial in the
current situation."
The South Korean president also sent to Moscow a message expressing
his regret and sympathy.
"The people of the Republic of Korea, including myself, have been
shocked to the depth of our souls by the forest fires in your country,
which have caused casualties and material damage," Lee said in a special
message addressed to President Dmitry Medvedev. "We hope that under the
guidance of your government the fires will be tamed soon. We shall extend
all cooperation necessary to this end."

-0-kud/str