1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Korean Peninsula on July 20. Minister Yun was briefed on the result of the Delegation’s visit to North Korea on July 15-19 and explained the ROK government’s trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula. The Minister also exchanged opinions on ways to increase the EU’s constructive contribution to North Korea and enhance the relations between the ROK and the EU, which mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

2. Minister Yun noted the Delegation’s roles in realizing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, including its latest visits to the ROK and North Korea. The Delegation gave a detailed briefing on its impressions of North Korea and the result of its trip to the country. It also explained the European Parliament’s active efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in North Korea, including the issue of North Korean asylum seekers, and to bring about change in North Korea.

3. Minister Yun stated that the ROK government seeks to induce North Korea’s sincere changes through the trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula and stressed that the international community needs to send a clear and united message to North Korea. The Minister also requested the EU, as the ROK’s firm ally, continue to make such diplomatic efforts.

o In response, the Delegation expressed its willingness to continue to play its role in inducing North Korea’s sincere changes in close coordination with the ROK.

4. Minister Yun noted that the ROK and the EU, which mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 2nd anniversary of the effectuation of bilateral FTA this year, have been expanding and deepening their relations in all areas as strategic partners. The Minister said that he looks forward to the two sides becoming partners who open a new future together and requested the European Parliament’s continued interest and effort to that end.

5. The Delegation’s latest visit to the ROK has helped explore how the EU can make constructive contributions to North Korea by increasing the EU’s understanding of the current situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia. 


                  Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation