Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se asked Iraq to step up efforts to better protect South Korean companies and nationals residing in the Middle East country, his ministry said Wednesday.

During a meeting with Iraq's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari held on Tuesday in Seoul, Yun also promised to keep providing humanitarian aid to Bagdad and seeking cooperation in such areas as education and health, the ministry said in a press release.

In response, Iraq's top diplomat agreed to pay close attention to the safety of Korean companies and people in his country, while expressing appreciation for Seoul's support for its national rebuilding effort.

Yun emphasized the need for working-level talks between the two countries aimed at increasing economic cooperation. Al-Jaafari, meanwhile, raised the need for talks on a visa waiver program for diplomats and public servants, the ministry said.

Seoul's foreign ministry said Yun highlighted the threat from North Korea's "fast-evolving" nuclear capability, with Al-Jaafari sharing concerns over the uncertainties facing the South from Pyongyang's pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. (Yonhap)