South Korea, Czech Republic upgrade ties to strategic partnership

South Korea and the Czech Republic have agreed to upgrade their relations to a strategic partnership according to a joint statement released after South Korean President Park Geun-hye met Thursday with Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka in Seoul, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
The two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in political, economic and other issues and strengthen political dialogue for a strategic partnership.
On the sidelines of their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on rail transportation.
They expressed deep concern over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and urged Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table for its denuclearization.
South Korea and the Czech Republic also agreed to make joint efforts to improve North Korea's human rights record.