Myanmar, S. Korean presidents hold talks

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (L) shakes hands with Myanmar President U Thein Sein in in Nay Pyi Taw, May 14, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

NAY PYI TAW  - The Presidents of Myanmar and South Korea U Thein Sein and Lee Myung-bak held talks in Nay Pyi Taw Monday shortly after the latter's arrival in the new capital in the afternoon, state radio and television reported.

The talks, which were held intimately and transparently, focused on strengthening of the two countries' bilateral friendship, economic cooperation and regional cooperation, the report said in a night broadcast.

Lee, who is on a two-day goodwill visit to Myanmar, is the first South Korean president to visit the country in nearly 30 years.

According to schedule, Lee is to meet Aung San Suu Kyi, a parliament member and leader of the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), in Yangon on Tuesday.

Lee will visit the Martyears' Mausoleum in Yangon on the day to pay tribute to the 17 Korean government officials killed in a bomb attack by Pyongyang agents in October 1983 when the South Korean President Chun Doo Hwan escaped the assassination during his visit to Yangon.