Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hyun Oh-seok said Monday that Korea will further aim to boost benefits of its free trade pact with the U.S. so that companies from both countries can enjoy more of the trade deal signed in 2007.

In a casual meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Korea Sung Kim, Hyun sought further talks between the two countries on ways to increase the benefits especially for people from both sides.

Hyun’s visit to the U.S. ambassador in Seoul comes as this year marks the 60th anniversary of the two allies. The two sides met amid heightened tensions with North Korea, which is undermining investors’ sentiment on the domestic stock and foreign exchange markets.

Also as the country’s deputy prime minister, Hyun seeks to further strengthen the alliance with the U.S. through increased collaboration, not only economically but also in diplomacy, security and culture, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance said in a statement.

Hyun next met with Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koro Bessho, and sought closer economic partnerships with the world’s third-largest economy. Korea is in talks with Japan as well as China on a trilateral trade pact.

By Park Hyong-ki  (hkp@heraldcorp.com)