Officials said Friday that Iraq has asked South Korean companies to participate in restoring the Arab country's power system.

Emad Hussain A. Al-ani, the country's Deputy Minister of Electricity, was quoted as saying in a meeting with South Korea's Commerce, Industry and Energy Minister Lee Hee-beom, "We would like to make the most of South Korea's experience and good technology in rebuilding the Iraqi power industry."

The visiting Iraqi minister said restoring the power infrastructure, which was devastated by U.S. attacks last year, is a top priority for Iraq in rebuilding the country, noting that the electricity supply is in a very critical situation.

Lee reportedly said that South Korea will cooperate with Iraqi authorities in restoring the system and will offer the country a training program to help develop local human resources in the area.

The Iraqi minister, who came to Seoul along with 21 ministry officials at the invitation of the state-run Korea International Cooperation Agency, is scheduled to visit major industrial sites, including Hyundai Motor and POSCO, one of the world's leading steel manufacturers.