President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed Nigeria’s desire to widen the scope of trade relations with the Republic of Korea beyond gas exports.

Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman in a statement, said Buhari made this known on Wednesday during a bilateral meeting with his Korean counterpart, Mr Yoon Suk-Yeol in the Presidential Palace on the sidelines of the First World Bio Summit in Seoul, South Korea.

President Buhari also called for expansion of the long-term gas contract to other areas.

On piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, to which Korean ships had fallen victim, the Nigerian leader noted that the level of attacks had decreased considerably over the last one year.

This, he said, was due to the provision of equipment to the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) by the Nigerian government, while also commending the Korean government for the supply of a vessel to the Navy.

In this respect, the Nigerian leader said he looked forward to enhanced defence and security cooperation with the Republic of Korea.

President Buhari thanked his Korean counterpart for inviting him to address the World Bio Summit and appreciated him for expressing sympathy with Nigerians on the flood disaster.

Earlier, President Suk-Yeol had sympathised with President Buhari over the massive havoc and human losses caused by the recent floods in the country.

He described Nigeria as “Africa’s largest economy and cultural powerhouse that produces huge number of films”.

He expressed confidence that Nigeria’s economic and cultural capabilities would contribute significantly to exchanges and cooperation between both countries.

Both leaders, according to Adesina, also discussed the need for cooperation at the multilateral level, particularly at the United Nations with South Korea indicating interest to vie for a seat on the Security Council in 2024 and seeking Nigeria’s support.

The Korean leader also sought Nigeria’s support for his country’s plan to host the 2030 EXPO.