President Jacob Zuma arrived in South Korea on Sunday for the Nuclear Security Summit, the department of international relations and co-operation said.

Zuma was leading a delegation to the summit in Seoul, spokesman Clayson Monyela said in a statement.

The summit takes place from March 26 to 27 under the theme: "Beyond Security, Towards Peace".

This was a follow-up to the April 2010 summit in Washington, D.C.

At the 2010 summit participating states made a political commitment to advance nuclear security through the adopted Communiqué and Work Plan.

"The main purpose of the summit is to review the progress made since the first summit and to focus on facilitating national measures and international co-operation on nuclear security.

"The Summit takes place within the context of the commitment to achieve a world free from all weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons."

During Zuma's visit to Seoul he would hold bilateral talks with his counterparts on issues of mutual interest, including President Lee Myung-bak from the Republic of Korea.

Zuma was accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and the Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters.  -Sapa