1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, who attended the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Security and Stability on the Korean Peninsula, had frequently held consultations separately with her US counterpart Rex Tillerson from January 15 to 16. The two sides coordinated preparations for the Meeting and messages to be sent to the world, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including inter-Korean talks and the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games.

o They especially discussed ways to ensure that the inter-Korean talks on the PyeongChang Olympics Winter Games contribute to the international community’s united efforts to denuclearize North Korea. They also exchanged views on preparations to make Vice President Mike Pence’s upcoming visit to the ROK as head of a high-level US delegation to the Olympics a success.

2. After the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting concluded today, Minister Kang met with US Secretary of State Tillerson and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, and discussed ways for the three countries to work together on the North Korean nuclear issue as part of efforts to continue discussions at the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

o Minister Kang and her US and Japanese counterparts took note that the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting demonstrated the international community’s strong solidarity and determination to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through peaceful and diplomatic means and to support the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and inter-Korean talks, and that a balanced co-chairs’ summary which reflects them was adopted at the Meeting.

o The three sides shared the view that the Vancouver Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was very timely as it took place while inter-Korean talks are underway ahead of the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. They agreed to continue discussions to contribute to the denuclearization of North Korea by making full use of such momentum, and shared diplomatic efforts they are making, as well as their assessments of the current situation.

o Minister Kang especially stressed the importance of pushing for both dialogue with North Korea and sanctions on the North. The US and Japanese sides expressed support for the position, and reaffirmed that it is their top priority to solve the North Korean nuclear problem peacefully through cooperation among the three countries.

o At the end of the trilateral meeting today, Minister Kang and her US and Japanese counterparts wished the PyeongChang Winter Olympics a success, and agreed to continue bilateral cooperation on the Olympics between the ROK and the US, and between the ROK and Japan.

* unofficial translation