1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Negara Brunei Darussalam Erywan Yusof in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on January 12, during which the two top diplomats took note of the advances in the Republic of Korea-Negara Brunei Darussalam relations; and discussed ways to step up substantive ROK-Brunei and ROK-ASEAN cooperation, as well as the situation on the Korean Peninsula. 

2. Minister Kang noted with appreciation that over the past 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the ROK and Brunei had seen their ties advance across the board, including political affairs, economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges; and that during Brunei’s service as the country coordinator for the ROK-ASEAN dialogue relations, the ROK-Brunei foreign ministerial meeting came to seek ways to bolster the ROK-Brunei relations and ROK-ASEAN cooperation.

3. Minister Kang suggested that by creating synergistic effect from the ROK government’s New Southern Policy and the Brunei government’s long-term Vision 2035 for national development, the two countries further step up substantive bilateral cooperation; and asked Brunei to work closely with the ROK on the latter’s work toward tangible progress in preparations for the ROK-ASEAN Commemorative Summit 2019.

4. The two Ministers discussed in depth the situation on the Korean Peninsula, agreeing to communicate and coordinate closely with each other toward a complete denuclearization and a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

° Minister Erywan, hailing the ROK government’s work to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, expressed willingness to render continued support.

5. Later in the day, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha paid a courtesy call on Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and passed to him warm regards from the ROK President.

° Sultan Bolkiah, asking the Minister to convey his appreciation and warm regards to President Moon, voiced hope for increased substantive bilateral cooperation, mainly in future growth areas, as well as support for the ROK government’s efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula.

6. Minister Kang’s visit to Brunei is seen to have served as an opportunity for the ROK government to be assured of support of Brunei, the former’s important partner in implementing its New Southern Policy as well as the country coordinator for the ROK-ASEAN dialogue relations, on its Korean Peninsula policy and New Southern Policy.

* unofficial translation