South Korean President Park Geun-hye left for Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for talks with newly enthroned King Salman to discuss how to boost security and economic cooperation.

The meeting is the first time since Salman inherited the throne to the oil-rich kingdom following the death of his brother and king, Abdullah, in January. Park met with then Saudi Crown Prince Salman on the sidelines of a summit of the Group of 20 advanced and emerging economies in Brisbane, Australia, in November.

Park and Salman are expected to discuss ways to boost cooperation in a wide range of sectors from nuclear energy, construction and health care to information and communications technology, according to Park's office. They are also expected to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in diplomatic and security issues amid unrest in the Middle East.

South Korea, the world's fifth-largest crude oil buyer, relies entirely on imports for its oil needs. Saudi Arabia accounts for about one-third of South Korea's total imports of crude oil.

Park also plans to meet with Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Salman's youngest brother, and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef al-Saud as part of efforts to build confidence with the ruling family.

Saudi Arabia is the second stop on Park's four-nation swing that will take her to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

In Kuwait, Park held talks with Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, and sought his interest and assistance to ensure that South Korean companies can participate in industrial and infrastructure projects in the oil-rich country.

Last year, South Korean companies secured deals worth US$7.8 billion in Kuwait, the third-largest market for South Korean builders. For decades, oil-rich Middle Eastern countries have been a major source of revenue for South Korean builders.

Park's Mideast tour comes as oil-rich regional countries are seeking to diversify their economic portfolios ahead of the inevitable advent of a post-oil era. A plunge in oil prices in recent months has also highlighted the need to diversify the economy that is heavily dependent on oil. (Yonhap)