India and South Korea today explored ways to strengthen bilateral ties including issues like anti-piracy and disaster relief. Defence Minister A K Antony, who is on a two-day visit to Seoul called on South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and reviewed the bilateral ties. Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the sharp upward trajectory that the relationship had taken in the recent times. The ramping up of the ties between the two countries follows the visit of the South Korean President to India in January this year. During that visit, it was decided to elevate the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership level encompassing defence, trade and scientific research.The two leaders noted that India and South Korea sharedcommon values and understanding on issues of regional and global security. Antony also held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan and expressed satisfaction at the close cooperation and shared visions of the two countries. Earlier, Antony and his counterpart Kim Tae-Young signed two Memoranda of Understanding for a five-year defence cooperationfor sharing of military expertise and technology, which can be extended by another five years if the two sides so desired.