1. On September 23, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam, in his capacity as acting Foreign Minister, met with US Governor of Alaska Bill Walker, who is on a visit to the Republic of Korea as part of the Foreign Ministry’s invitation program for people in US state governments and parliaments. The two sides exchanged views on ways to increase cooperation between the ROK and the State of Alaska, and major issues between the ROK and the US.

2. Vice Minister Lim stated that the ROK is Alaska’s second-largest trading partner and that exchanges and cooperation between the two sides have further expanded since the ROK-US FTA took effect. Vice Minister Lim also hoped that the ROK and Alaska will further strengthen cooperation, including by expanding mutually-beneficial economic cooperation and concluding an agreement on mutual recognition of driving licences.

o Vice Minister Lim expressed appreciation to the government of Alaska for proclaiming June 25, 2016 as “Korea-Alaska Friendship Day,” and asked for continued interest in the Korean community in Alaska.

o Vice Minister Lim requested support for the US Congress’ passage of the “Partner with Korea Act,” which seeks to raise the visa quota for Korean professionals. Vice Minister Lim also asked Governor Walker to show continued interest and support to ensure that Americans better understand the accomplishments and significance of the ROK-US alliance and increase their support for the alliance.

3. Governor Walker expressed appreciation for the ROK government’s invitation. Mentioning the LNG project being pursued by the government of Alaska, he expressed hope that the ROK and Alaska will further enhance economic and trade cooperation, as well as bilateral exchanges, including cooperation in the energy sector, such as crude oil and natural gas.

o Governor Walker said that he is fully aware of the importance of the ROK-US alliance, and said that the Korean community in Alaska, as an exemplary community, is contributing to developing Alaska and raising its status. He said that he will work actively to further increase exchanges between the people of the two countries and advance the ROK-US relations.

4. Governor Walker’s latest visit to the ROK served as an opportunity to enhance economic cooperation between the ROK and Alaska, and to reaffirm the potential for cooperation in a wider range of areas, including the consular sector.


* unofficial translation