The foreign ministers of South Korea and Costa Rica expressed hope for stronger business ties between their nations as the Central American country develops its infrastructure, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and his Costa Rican counterpart, Manuel Gonzalez Sanz, met on the sidelines of a U.N. climate change conference in Paris on Monday to discuss a wide range of bilateral and other issues of mutual interest, the ministry said in a press release.

Yun noted the recent increase in bilateral trade and expressed hope that a free trade agreement between South Korea and Central America would soon be signed to further boost trade and investment between the sides.

He also noted an increase in investment by South Korean firms in Costa Rica and asked for San Jose's interest and support for the smooth operation of South Korean businesses there.

Gonzales said South Korean firms have helped improve the competitiveness and skills of his country's textiles industry, adding he hopes the two nations expand practical cooperation in various areas, such as in bridge maintenance and the construction of a new airport in his country.

Yun said South Korean businesses hope to participate in such infrastructure projects, according to his ministry. (Yonhap)