1. On the sidelines of “the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula” in Vancouver, Canada, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met bilaterally with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson of the UK on January 16. In their meeting, the two top diplomats exchanged views on the North Korean nuclear issue, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Republic of Korea-United Kingdom relations, and the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

2. Minister Kang, calling with appreciation the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting a good opportunity to reaffirm the international community’s shared commitment to not tolerate a nuclear North Korea and to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, extended gratitude to the UK government for playing a constructive role in the international community sending to the North a balanced message that while the international community has tough sanctions and pressure on the North in place, it is ready to offer a brighter future to the North if and when the latter makes the right choice.

° The Minister stressed that building on the outcome of the currently ongoing inter-Korean talks, the ROK will seek to create conditions for the resumption of dialogue toward a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

° Secretary Johnson expressed hope that the inter-Korean talks aimed at North Korea’s participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics will serve as a good, new impetus toward the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, adding that the UK will remain unwaveringly supportive of the ROK government’s efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and establish a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

3. The Minister and the Secretary agreed to continue cooperation in order for the close trade and investment ties between the two countries to move continually forward even after Brexit, and to step up cooperation in the field of nuclear power plants in a mutually beneficially manner.

° Minister Kang extended appreciation to the UK government for its assistance with the search operations for the missing crew members of the Stellar Daisy vessel. Secretary Johnson responded that the UK government will continue rendering assistance with the search operations.

4. The first meeting between Foreign Minister Kang and Foreign Secretary Johnson is seen to have served as an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the ROK and the UK to jointly seek a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the North Korean nuclear issue and to further step up the close ROK-UK cooperation in the full range of matters, including political and consular affairs, and economy.

* unofficial translation