Fülöp added that as a result of the growth of exports in the automobile industry, Hungarian exports increased by a further 23% in July. According to the press cheif, South Korean companies play an important role in the Hungarian economy, with Hankook and Samsung acting as the strategic partners of the Hungarian government.

In the talks, Szijjártó urged Korea to issue export licences to the Hungarian food industry, reminding Yun Byung-se that Hungary offered 100 scholarships to South Korean students in order to help them enroll in Hungarian universities. Thursday’s talks also serve as preparation for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s planned visit to North Korea in November

Fülöp added that the foreign minsiter also held talks with Jim Bolger, the special commissioner of New Zealand’s Prime Minister, on a free trade agreement between the European Union and New Zealand. The press chief stated that Hungarian exports doubled this year and a student work agreement was amended between the two countries to enable Hungarian youth to spend six months in New Zealand for study or work.