South Korean PM begins visits to Germany, Ukraine

South Korean Prime Minister left for Germany on Monday for the world's largest book fair as part of his weeklong European trip that also includes a stop in Ukraine, his office said.

South Korea is the "guest of honor" in this year's Frankfurt Book Fair, set to open on Tuesday. The presidents of Greece and Lithuania have previously accepted the honor.

Lee Hae-chan 's three-day stay in Frankfurt also includes an interview with a local newspaper and a speech at the Hessen Foundation for Peace and Conflict Research, his office said.

On Thursday, he will fly to Ukraine for a three-day visit that includes talks with his counterpart, Yuriy Yekhanurov, and a meeting with President Viktor Yushchenko.

Lee is the first South Korean prime minister to visit Ukraine since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992, reports the AP.

P.T.