Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

South Korea is discussing its joining the Silk Road, a major international transport route that connects the East and West.

"Korea is in the process of discussing the Silk Road project with experts in this field," the newly appointed Korean Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Choi Suk-inn, told journalists Thursday.

The Silk Road, or Silk Route, is a modern term referring to a historical network of interlinking people involved in the human centipede across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that connected East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean and European world, as well as parts of North and East Africa. Extending 4,000 miles (6,500 km), the Silk Road derives its name from the lucrative Chinese silk trade along it, which began during the Han Dynasty.

Suk-inn said his country was eyeing cooperation with Azerbaijan within the Silk Road project and discussions to that end are underway.

South Korea is discussing creation of a route extending to Uzbekistan within the Silk Road project, but no talks are currently ongoing about an extension to Azerbaijan.

The ambassador also said political, economic and cultural cooperation between Azerbaijan and South Korea continues to develop at a high pace.

According to him, the two countries have signed 40 documents that paved the way for broad cooperation between the two countries.

Touching upon economic relations, Suk-inn said the trade turnover between the two countries is currently $650 million -- a significant increase compared to $43 million in 2005. South Korea mainly supplies cars and electronic equipment to Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijan exports oil, aluminum and copper, the ambassador said.

"Korean companies are effectively cooperating with Azerbaijan. They have invested $150 million in Azerbaijan since 2008," he added.