Minister Kim arrived in Peru Thursday on the second leg of his four-nation tour of South America, which also includes Colombia, Chile and Brazil.

Speaking after a meeting with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, Kim said they discussed ways to deepen and further expand the "comprehensive strategic partnership" between the two countries.

He said Seoul is willing to "make every effort" to support Peru with technology transfer, as part of this bilateral partnership.

"Peru is a stronghold for Korea, to launch into other Latin American countries and to strengthen relations with countries of this region," he added.

Kim Sung-Hwan recalled that his visit comes just over two weeks after the Peruvian president's trip to Seoul, where he met with his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak and agreed to elevate relations to a strategic partnership.

(END) GCO/GCO/EEP