S. Korean, Singapore defense chiefs vow joint peace efforts

SEOUL, Sept. 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and Singapore share a common desire for
peace and stability in the region and will continue to promote their objectives
while further strengthening political and military relations, Singapore's Defense
Minister Teo Chee Hean said Thursday.
The remarks by the visiting Singaporean minister came at the start of official
talks with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Sang-hee.
"Korea and Singapore enjoy a very close relationship... and I look forward to
working with Minister Lee to strengthen our defense relations," Teo said.
Teo arrived here Monday on a five-day visit that has also taken him to some of
South Korea's key military command posts.
Lee offered his compliments to Teo on Singapore's contributions to maintaining
stability in the region.
"I know you have visited Korea many times and understand Korea and the military
relationship between our two countries better than anyone else," Lee said.
"I hope we will be able to exchange our views on issues of mutual interest and
make actual progress," he added.
The ministerial talks were held at the Defense Ministry, where an honor guard
ceremony was hosted earlier Thursday by the South Korean minister for his
Singaporean counterpart.