Prison pact: Commissioner of Correctional Services Pang Sung-yuen exchanges documents with Korean Corrections Bureau Director-General Yang Bong-tae in Seoul.

Hong Kong and South Korea have signed an agreement to boost co-operation and exchange in correctional services.

Commissioner of Correctional Services Pang Sung-yuen and Korean Corrections Bureau Director-General Yang Bong-tae signed the document in Seoul today.

They will collaborate in major projects like observational visits to each other's institutions, joint research and study, bilateral seminars, exchange of staff and information.

Mr Pang said it signified "the common professional interest and desire to assist each other in their journey to exemplary correction services in the region. All these activities will inevitably add new impetus and momentum to the long-standing rapport between Hong Kong and Korea."

Hong Kong has signed similar agreements with Canada and Singapore.