1. On September 1, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun met separately with his Mexican counterpart de Icaza and Salvadorian counterpart Castaneda, who visited the Republic of Korea to attend the 8th Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting (August 31, Busan), and exchanged views on ways to increase substantive cooperation in economic and trade affairs; consular cooperation; and the North Korean nuclear issue and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

2. In his meeting with his Mexican counterpart de Icaza, Vice Minister Cho said that the relations between the two countries are at their best in various areas, including political, economic and cultural affairs, and expected that the mutually-beneficial cooperative relations will further deepen and expand through the resumption of negotiations on an ROK-Mexico FTA, cooperation between the ROK and the Pacific Alliance, and the facilitation of MIKTA.

o Undersecretary de Icaza expressed satisfaction over the fact that the two countries have been maintaining close cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and said that he will continue to work to advance the bilateral relations, giving much attention to the issue.

3. In his meeting with his Salvadorian counterpart, Vice Minister Cho took note that substantive cooperation between the two countries has been strengthening in infrastructure and public security affairs, and hoped that an ROK-Central America FTA, which the two sides are working to formally sign, will help Korean companies increase their presence in the infrastructure construction sector in El Salvador.

o Deputy Minister Castaneda expressed appreciation to the ROK government for helping his country build capacity for national development through development cooperation projects in a range of areas, including public security, education and rural development. He also hoped that with this year marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, their friendly and cooperative relations will be further advanced.

4. Vice Minister Cho stressed that North Korea’s reckless provocations, including its nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches, are posing a serious threat not only to the Korean Peninsula, but to the entire international community. He also explained the ROK government’s North Korea policy, including the “Berlin Initiative,” and asked for continued cooperation from Mexico and El Salvador to solve the North Korean nuclear problem in a peaceful manner and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.

o The Undersecretary of Mexico and the Deputy Minister of El Salvador expressed deep concern over North Korea’s nuclear and missile development, and reaffirmed their support for the ROK’s North Korea policy, adding that they will actively participate in the international community’s efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.


* unofficial translation