Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran-South Korea relations should steer clear of the US-led sanctions and sabotage, Irna reported.
The Supreme Leader made the remarks in a meeting with South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran-South Korean ties should be independent of sanctions and influence and sabotage of the US, rather should proceed strongly and sincerely with sustainability.
The Supreme Leader said contracts and agreements between the two sides should be concluded in a way that foreign harmful factors and sanctions would not leave negative impacts on them because it is not acceptable that relations between Iran and South Korea be affected by the US and its ill-will.
The Ayatollah said cooperation and exchange of experience between the two countries in various scientific, technological, political, social and security domains will benefit the two sides.
'We in foreign policy are highly willing to develop ties with the Asian nations due to the cultural and historical affinities. So, I believe that there is more possibility for mutual understanding, agreement and cooperation with the countries, including South Korea, which is a developed Asian state.'
Ayatollah Khamenei drew attention to manaces of terrorism and said that unless a real and proper approach is adopted to deal with the manaces of terrorism and insecurity, its eradication would be more difficult in future and no country will be immune to such a threat.
The Supreme Leader criticized the US approach of dividing terrorism to good and bad and said that the US chants the slogan of campaign against terrorism but in practice it is not sincere, while terrorism in any form is bad and dangerous to nations and security of countries because in absence of security there will be no favorable progress.
On Iran-South Korea cooperation and agreements and on priorities for bilateral cooperation, the Supreme Leader said there is possibility for fruitful cooperation between Iran and South Korea but Iran's priorities to cooperation are not restricted to trade but the sort of contracts should be inked that would be needed for Iran in the infrastructures and general economy sectors.
The Supreme Leader said the agreements between the two sides should not be affected by foreign factors and it is an essential exigency for mutual cooperation.
The Paramount Leader then referred to ups and downs in Iran-South Korea relations and said fortunately, now the South Korean government is a collaborative government and Iran enjoys abundant capacity like young, talented and educated work force necessary for growing sustainable cooperation.
Park for her part said her visit to Tehran is a valuable opportunity for expansion of bilateral ties and growing mutual confidence.
'During sanctions, we tried to continue presence in Iran as much as possible. Iran enjoys efficient and effective workforce and exceptional geographic situation. We hope bilateral relations will expand in the economic sector in particular. I am confident that emphasis of Your Excellency on Iran's economic growth and development will bring very bright prospects for your country and we are ready to upgrade cooperation in various sectors like environment protection, science and technology and economy.'