"Estonia and South Korea are united both by similar values as well as similar challenges. We are rapidly developing digital societies and e-governance pioneers, which is also why we belong to the Digital 5 network along with the United Kingdom, Israel, and New Zealand," Ratas said, adding that because of this these countries are more aware of cyber threats as well.

The development of digital societies will be discussed more broadly by representatives of Estonia, South Korea, and other nations of the Digital 5 at a summit in Wellington, New Zealand, on Feb. 21-22. Estonia will be represented at the summit by Minister of Entrepreneurship and IT Urve Palo (SDE).

The prime ministers of Estonia and South Korea agreed that trade relations between the two countries need to be intensified.

"Estonia's open economy and transparent investment environment definitely are of interest to South Korean investors," Ratas said.

The e-residency program has been well received in South Korea. There have been some 600 applications from there. Since the end of last year e-residents have been able to get their electronic ID-card at a visa center in Seoul, the first location to issue Estonian e-residency IDs abroad. The center, where the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) issues documents, was opened by President Kersti Kaljulaid last week.

The two prime ministers also discussed the complex security situation in the Asia-Pacific region, sanctions on North Korea and possibilities to bring down the tensions through dialogue.