Seoul, Dec 2 (IANS): South Korea's science ministry said on Thursday that it has agreed with the Visegrad Group in Europe -- the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia -- to boost cooperation in the fields of research and development.

Lee Tai-hee, South Korea's deputy minister for planning and coordination at the science and ICT ministry, inked a memorandum of understanding with the Visegrad Group in Hungary earlier in the day, under which the sides agreed to exchange information and technology, foster exchange programmes and conduct joint research and development projects starting in 2023, Yonhap news agency reported.

"The combination of South Korea's globally leading technology in the field of applied science and V4's expertise in pure science will create a synergy effect, making the best research partners," Lee said.

The memorandum of understanding comes as South Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed to bolster cooperation with the Visegrad group in areas related to technological transformation and in digital technology during his visit to Budapest last month.