Czechs work on EU-South Korea free trade

PRAGUE, Czech Republic, April 22 (UPI) -- The Czech Republic's prime minister said the European Union and South Korea could conclude a free trade agreement by the end of June, Prague Radio reported.

Outgoing Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said Czech President Vaclav Klaus will lead an EU delegation to Seoul for talks with South Korean leaders May 23, Prague Radio said Wednesday.

Topolanek said the EU and South Korean leaders hope to seal the free trade agreement by the time the Czech presidency of the European Union expires June 30.

South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo was on a visit to Prague this week and Tuesday Czech and South Korean leaders signed an economic cooperation agreement on development and research in such fields as nanotechnology and information technology, the radio said.