(LEAD) Lee says S. Korea-Turkey cooperation making 'swift' progress

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday noted "swift" progress in cooperation between South Korea and Turkey, expressing hope for further cooperation in nuclear power plants, the defense industry and other areas.

Lee made the remarks at the opening of his summit with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.

Erdogan arrived in South Korea on Monday for a three-day state visit, marking his first trip to the country since 2018. Lee and the Turkish leader last met in Ankara in July on the occasion of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit hosted by Turkey.

"(I) am convinced that bilateral cooperation is making swift progress, and I am pleased," Lee told Erdogan.

The South Korean president also expressed hope that the countries would further expand cooperation in various sectors, including nuclear power plants, the defense industry, energy and science and technology.

"I expect our two countries to elevate their strategic partnership to a higher level and have in-depth discussion on facilitating prosperous lives for our peoples," he noted.

Erdogan said the two countries seek the balanced development of bilateral trade, which currently stands at US$11 billion, and aim to expand its overall scale.

The Turkish president, in particular, said he believes it would be desirable if both sides promptly finalize bilateral discussions to upgrade their free trade agreement.