1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha had a virtual meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Nyamtseren Enkhtaivan on December 21. In the meeting, the two sides assessed bilateral relations between Korea and Mongolia which mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and discussed cooperation in COVID-19 response and ways to increase regional cooperation including the Northeast Asia Cooperation Initiative for Infectious Disease Control and Public Health.

2. The two sides noted with appreciation that despite the COVID-19 pandemic this year, the two countries have maintained the momentum for developing bilateral relations, including holding various meaningful events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and holding the 5th Korea-Mongolia Joint Committee Meeting successfully last month.

3. Building on such momentum for cooperation, the two sides agreed to further advance bilateral relations through closer face-to-face exchanges between high-level officials and substantive cooperation as soon as the COVID-19 situation stabilizes. To that end, they suggested that the two countries actively pursue dialogues at various levels, including the launch of the Korea-Mongolia vice foreign ministerial strategic dialogue, as part of efforts to strengthen strategic communication on bilateral relations and regional and global issues.

4. The two sides took note that in response to the spread of COVID-19, the two countries have closely communicated and cooperated including supporting the repatriation of their nationals, and agreed to continue to actively seek consultations on facilitating necessary people-to-people exchanges as well as substantive cooperation for economic recovery.

5. The two sides also agreed to work together to launch the Northeast Asia Cooperation Initiative for Infectious Disease Control and Public Health that could contribute to joint response to transboundary health crises including COVID-19 and promote regional dialogues and cooperation. Foreign Minister Kang expressed appreciation for Mongolia’s active support and commitment to participating in the Korean government’s initiative.

6. The Korea-Mongolia Foreign Ministers’ meeting, a high-level exchange between the two countries that came in one month after the Korea-Mongolia Joint Committee Meeting on November 24, served as an opportunity for the two countries to reflect on the significance of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, despite the COVID-19 situation this year, and to reaffirm their commitment to further developing the friendly and cooperative relations.