SEOUL South Korea's Minister of Commerce, Energy and Industries, Shin Kook Huwan, leading a high-ranking delegation, arrived here for a three-day visit.

Huwan, who is carrying South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung's message for his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Khatami, hoped that the visit could mark a 'new horizon' in bilateral relations.

During his stay in Tehran, the Korean official will hold talks with several Iranian officials including Minister of Mines and Industries, Es'haq Jahangiri, Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh as well as Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi.

Before leaving Seoul, Huwan hailed Khatami as one of the impressive leaders in the East who had chosen to bring nations together. He hoped Tehran and Seoul could start a new chapter in their mutual ties at the start of the 21st century.

The warming of ties between the two countries has found a new momentum since two years ago. The total value of their trade transactions reached $3.5 billion in 11 months up to November 2000. The balance of trade was in Iran's favor by one billion dollars.

(IRNA)