1. On November 27, Foreign Minister Yun met with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó, who is accompanying Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on his official visit to the ROK (November 27-29). The two Foreign Ministers discussed the significance of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s visit to the ROK, the agenda of an ROK- Hungary summit meeting to be held tomorrow, and ways to advance relations between the two countries. They also exchanged views on ways to strengthen cooperation between the ROK and the Visegrad Group (V4) and regional situations, including the recent developments related to North Korea.

2. Ministers Yun and Szijjártó shared the view that Prime Minister Orbán’s visit to the ROK this year, a meaningful year marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the ROK and Hungary, will be an important opportunity for the two countries to establish a future-oriented partnership based on the existing friendly relations. The two sides especially stressed that Hungary was the first former Eastern Bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the ROK during the transitional period in the former Eastern Bloc 25 years ago. They agreed to continue cooperation for a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula and coordination on North Korean issues, building upon such close relations.

3. Minister Szijjártó explained that Hungary, as part of its “Opening to the East” policy, is actively seeking to strengthen economic cooperation with the ROK. The Minister added that expecting Korean companies to increase their presence in Hungary, the country is actively working to create a favorable environment for investment. Minister Yun stated that with this year marking the fourth year after the entry into force of the ROK-EU FTA, the ROK government is also willing to enhance a mutually-beneficial cooperation with Hungary, a gateway and bridgehead to Central Europe. Minister Yun also hoped that the Hungarian Prime Minister’s visit to the ROK will help the two countries expand trade and investment and develop a range of cooperation projects in various areas.

4. Minister Yun especially took note that Hungary, as President of the Visegrad Group (V4), played a leading role in launching the formal cooperation mechanism between the ROK and the V4. The two sides decided to elevate the ROK-V4 cooperation to a higher level, including by holding a seminar to share transition experiences between the ROK and the V4, which the two sides agreed on at the latest ROK-V4 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

5. Agreeing that responding to geopolitical security issues is important, the two sides shared the view that cooperation between the two countries is essential. Minister Yun also explained the recent developments related to North Korea and exchanged views on other regional situations. 


                     Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation