President Yoon Suk Yeol, right, shakes hands with Piotr Hofmanski, chief of the International Criminal Court, ahead of their meeting at South Korea's presidential office in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of presidential office

President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Piotr Hofmanski, chief of the International Criminal Court (ICC), on Monday to discuss ways for South Korea to cooperate with the ICC in promoting the international criminal justice system, Yoon's office said.

During the meeting, Yoon stressed that South Korea "strongly supports the rules-based international order of freedom, human rights and the rule of law," and that it will continue to cooperate with the ICC to realize international criminal justice and maintain international peace, according to the presidential office.

Yoon also highlighted the importance of the ICC's role at a time when calls are growing across the globe for tougher punishment for serious crimes.

Judge Hofmanski took note of South Korea's personnel and financial contributions to the ICC over the past two decades, expressing hope for deeper cooperation with Seoul going forward, Yoon's office said. (Yonhap)