S. Korea, S.Sudan establish diplomatic ties

South Korea's foreign ministry said Sunday it has established diplomatic relations with South Sudan, expressing congratulations for the formal independence of the world's newest state. The diplomatic accord was signed in South Sudan between South Korean Cabinet minister Lee Jae-oh and Deng Alor Kuol, the African nation's foreign minister on Saturday, the ministry said in a statement, according to South Korea's News Agency (Yonhap). "With the establishment of diplomatic ties, the government plans to strengthen cooperation with the Republic of South Sudan in relevant areas," the statement said. Lee, a lawmaker of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP), who doubles as a minister for special affairs, attended a ceremony Saturday where South Sudan officially declared independence from the North. The people of South Sudan voted overwhelmingly in January to create a new country.