1. Minister for Trade Kim Jong-hoon met with Francisco Rivas Almada, Paraguay’s Industry and 
Commerce Minister visiting Korea for the 2010 High-Level Forum on Korea-LAC (Latin America 
and Caribbean) Partnership, on May 27 to exchange views on a Korea-MERCOSUR (Southern 
Common Market) trade agreement; the importation of Paraguayan beef; cooperation in agriculture 
and forestry; and other matters of mutual interest in the trade and investment fields.

2. Taking note of the development of the Korea-Paraguay relationship into a friendly and cooperative one 
since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, Minister Kim expressed satisfaction with close 
cooperation between the two countries in the agricultural and forestry sectors. In addition, he requested 
that the Paraguayan government cooperate for an early convening of a cooperation consultative body to 
facilitate the conclusion of a trade agreement currently being pursued between Korea and MECOSUR.

3. Following an explanation on the serious trade imbalance between the two countries, Minister Rivas 
relayed the Paraguayan government’s request that the Korean government import Paraguyan beef as 
part of efforts to help Paraguay narrow such trade imbalance by diversifying export goods to Korea. 
Minister Kim responded that it will be positively considered if and when the Paraguayan government 
submits a request to launch an import-risk analysis process.

4. Minister Rivas voiced deep concern that the Cheonan incident had been caused by North Korea’s 
armed provocation. Further, he delivered to Minister Kim the statement the Paraguayan government 
had issued to condemn North Korea for its military provocation and to support the Korean government’s 
decision to refer the case to the UN Security Council. Minister Kim, in response, expressed appreciation 
for such measures of the Paraguayan government.

                         Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation