South Korean officials said Thursday that South Korean and Japanese government will hold talks on expanding their roles in Afghanistan.
The two sides agreed to launch a working-level talks between director general-level officials from the two neighbours' foreign ministries on Jan. 30, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said.
The two sides are considering taking joint efforts in development assistance projects and expand contributions there, Yonhap said.
"The government is seeking appropriate ways to contribute in consideration of local needs, relevant conditions and our capacity," said South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan at an earlier interview with local media.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso agreed at their talks on Jan. 12 to make joint efforts in dealing with global issues, including Afghanistan.
South Korea pulled out its 200-strong military medics and engineers from Afghanistan in 2007, ending its six-year mission.