French Prime Minister urges more South Korean investment

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called Thursday for an expansion of investment by South Korean firms saying his country would improve a business environment for foreign investors. Ayrault's call came at talks with his South Korean counterpart, Chung Hong-Won, after he arrived in Seoul as part of an Asian tour. "I hope South Korean companies will increase investment in France. We will make efforts to improve an environment for this," he said in a statement released by Chung's office. Chung suggested the two countries promote business ties in IT and medical industries, the statement said. The meeting also covered North Korea, with Chung urging a step-up in diplomatic cooperation, it said. Ayrault is due to deliver a speech before South Korean and French businessmen later in the day. Four ministers have travelled with him, including veterans affairs minister Kader Arif, and Fleur Pellerin, minister for small and medium enterprises, who was born in South Korea. Arif will participate in a ceremony in Seoul on Saturday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that led the ceasefire in the Korean War. On Friday, Arif and four French veterans of the war will take part in the unveiling of a recently renovated monument in Suwon City, some 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of Seoul, dedicated to France's participation in the 1950-53 conflict. France sent 3,421 soldiers to help the United Nations and South Korea fight against North Korea and China. Of those, 262 were killed, 1,008 wounded, seven went missing and 12 were captured as prisoners of war. After leaving South Korea, Ayrault will visit New Caledonia and Malaysia.