1. On the afternoon of October 24, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha had a meeting with Mr. Josep Borrell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain who was in the Republic of Korea (ROK) accompanying Their Majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia on their state visit to the country on October 23-24. During the meeting, the two Ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations, issues concerning substantive cooperation, cooperation on the international stage, and the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe. 
 
2. The two Ministers noted with appreciation that the relations between the ROK and Spain, which will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2020, have advanced greatly in various sectors, including political affairs, economy and culture, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950.

3. Minister Kang explained recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, including those regarding the ROK-United States and ROK-Japan relations, and the ROK government’s peace process on the Korean Peninsula, and asked for continued attention and support of the Spanish government and the European Union (EU). Minister Borrell commended the ROK government’s efforts to establish permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula.

4. Minister Kang also exchanged views on the way forward for the ROK-EU relations with Minister Borrell, who has been nominated as High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

5. The ROK-Spain foreign ministerial meeting is seen to have served as an opportunity to discuss follow-up measures for future bilateral cooperation that were discussed by the ROK President and His Majesty King Felipe VI on October 23 as well as an opportunity to enhance the Spanish side’s understanding of recent developments surrounding the Korean Peninsula.