South Korean president Lee Myung-bak met with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the presidential office on Tuesday.

Lee said Mr. and Mrs. Carter are seen by the world as the most exemplary former First couple and that Carter’s Habitat for Humanity activities are going strong in Korea as well.

Carter congratulated Korea on its successful recovery from the financial crisis. He also said that he held in high regard Lee’s leadership of strengthening South Korea’s ties with the other Asian nations.

The presidential office spokesperson said Lee mentioned the U.S. has the Peace Corps, and that Korea had a similar group, the “World Friends Korea.” He said World Friends Korea plans to increase the frequency of volunteer trips and the number of the volunteer force.