Russian President Vladimir Putin met the next UN secretary general, South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in the world body and ties between Moscow and Seoul.

"We've always cooperated in the UN in a fruitful way. I'll be very glad to exchange views on prospects for cooperation within the UN," Putin said at the start of talks with Ban in the Kremlin, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

"We are watching the development of the events on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea's nuclear program," Putin said.

Ban, 62, a veteran career diplomat, was appointed the world body's next secretary general last month to succeed Kofi Annan. He will take office on Jan. 1, 2007.

"I, as the UN secretary general, will closely cooperate with Russia," Ban said.

Putin hailed Russian-South Korean relations, saying bilateral trade was close to 10 billion U.S. dollars and political contacts were regular.

Ban said Seoul expected stronger relations with Moscow. "Our president hopes that our relations will soar to a new level," he said.

Source: Xinhua