Iran and South Korea will now exchange plant seed varieties and botanical specimens, and joint research into both countries’ native plants will also be implemented, the Korean Culture and Information Service reported on its web portal. Ziba Jamzad, the head of the Iranian Research Institute of Forest and Rangelands, visited the Korea National Arboretum between July 6 and 8 and discussed bilateral cooperation on forestry and related topics. The two organizations have been discussing cooperation opportunities since last May when the Korea Forest Service and its Iranian counterpart signed a memorandum of understanding during South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s visit to Tehran. These are the first steps taken between the two countries in terms of forestry since diplomatic ties were established in 1962. The two sides agreed to exchange plant seed varieties and botanical specimens, and to develop partnerships in research and joint research into native plants and habitats. They also agreed to collaborate on building a Korean Gardens section at the Iranian National Botanical Garden.
