SKorean president visits Cambodia to boost ties

PHNOM PENH, Oct 22 (AFP) - South Korean president Lee Myung-bak arrived in Cambodia Thursday for a two-day official visit to boost ties and develop economic relations between the two countries.

Lee descended from his airplane to a red carpet at Phnom Penh International Airport, and then received an audience with King Norodom Sihamoni at the capital's royal palace before talks with premier Hun Sen later in the day.

Lee and Hun Sen will witness the signing of an extradition agreement and a loan package from Seoul, Cambodia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The visit by the South Korean president is very important. It will boost economic relations between the two countries to a high level," government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told reporters.

South Korea is one of the largest foreign investors in Cambodia, mainly in real estate and construction, he said.

The Yonhap news agency has reported that South Korean investment in Cambodia increased to nearly 2.5 billion dollars last year from 30 million dollars in 1997.

Lee and Hun Sen are also scheduled to visit Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temples in the country's northwest on Friday before leaving for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Thailand.

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