PM Modi visit: Facts you need to know about India, South Korea relation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on last leg of his three-nation tour arrived South Korea on May 18. His discussions with the South Korean leadership will be focused on boosting economic and trade cooperation.

Below are the important facts need to be know about India-South Korea relationship

• Historical and cultural contacts between the two peoples date back to ancient times. According to "SamgukYusa" or "The Heritage History of the Three Kingdoms" written in the 13th century, a Princess from Ayodhya (Suriratna) came to Korea, married King Kim-Suro, and became Queen Hur Hwang-ok in the year 48 AD
• India and Republic of Korea (RoK) established consular relations in 1962. In 1973, relations were upgraded to Ambassador-level (also with Pyongyang).
• An agreement on visa simplification was signed on 25 March 2012.
• India-RoK Joint Commission for bilateral cooperation was established in February 1996.An Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) was established in RoK in April 2011.
• Indian Community in RoK is estimated at 7500, which includes businessmen, IT professionals, scientists, research fellows, students and workers.

• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was signed on August 7, 2009 came into force on 1st January, 2010.
• Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore composed a short but evocative poem - 'Lamp of the East' - in 1929 about Korea's glorious past and its promising bright future.