1. First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, during his visit to the UK, met with Permanent Under Secretary to the Foreign Office Simon McDonald in London on April 28 and discussed with him ways to coordinate on North Korea and its nuclear issues as well as to promote substantive cooperation. Later in the day, he attended the commendation awards ceremony at the residence of the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to the UK and delivered the ROK government’s Diplomatic Service Merits to two UK figures in recognition of their contributions to advances in the ROK-UK friendship and cooperation.

2. In their meeting, Vice Minister Lim and Under Secretary McDonald reviewed the progress in the implementation of the follow-up measures after President Park Geun-hye’s state visit to the UK in November 2013. They also discussed ways to step up coordination against North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations; increase high-level exchanges, such as the minister-level strategic dialogue; and work together on the international stage.

° In particular, the two sides agreed to work more closely together for a thorough implementation of the UN Security Council sanctions resolution over North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile provocations; and for the EU to adopt as soon as possible and effectively implement its unilateral sanctions on North Korea. The two sides, expressing deep concern over the possibility of further strategic provocations from North Korea ahead of the Workers' Party Congress in May, drew a common understanding that the international community should respond more sternly to such violations.

3. At the commendation awards ceremony held at the ROK’s ambassadorial residence, Vice Minister Lim awarded the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, Gwanghwa Medal, to former nine-term Member of Parliament John Stanley and the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, Heung-in Medal, to the family of the late Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Paul Webley of the University of London in a token of the ROK government’s deep appreciation for their contributions to advances in the ROK-UK ties.

4. Vice Minister Lim’s visit to the UK served as an opportunity to discuss ways to step up substantive cooperation with the aim to deepen and advance the comprehensive, creative partnership between the ROK and the UK, which had been forged during President Park’s state visit to the UK in November 2013; and to reaffirm close bilateral coordination against North Korea’s nuclear test and launch of a long-range missile. By holding the commendation awards ceremony during the visit, the ROK government expressed its special feelings for pro-ROK figures and enhanced the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.


* unofficial translation