1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will visit Geneva from February 25 to 28 to attend the high-level segments of the “37th session of the UN Human Rights Council” and the “Conference on Disarmament (CD).”

※ High-level segments of the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council and the Conference on Disarmament: February 26-28

o The upcoming high-level segments will bring together about 100 high-level officials, including leaders and ministerial-level officials from countries around the world.

2. In her keynote address at the high-level segment of the Human Rights Council on February 26, Minister Kang will remind participants of the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which marks its 70th anniversary this year, and stress the need for the international community to work together to promote human rights around the world. Minister Kang will also express the ROK’s commitment to contributing to promoting human rights, including by sharing its experiences in promoting human rights and democracy, and talk about key human rights issues, including the human rights situation in North Korea.

3. In addition, in her speech at the high-level segment of the Conference on Disarmament, a multilateral disarmament negotiation forum, on February 27, Minister Kang will emphasize that the ROK will continue to closely work together with the international community to make sure that the positive momentum in inter-Korean relations created during the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games leads to a peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. She will also express the ROK government’s commitment to contributing to strengthening the international disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

4. During her visit to Geneva, Minister Kang will meet with the heads of international organizations, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid and President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Maurer, as well as the foreign ministers of major participating countries, and exchange views on key issues of interest.

5. On February 26, Minister Kang and ICRC President Maurer will sign an agreement on the establishment of an ICRC office in the ROK. On February 27, Minister Kang will meet young Koreans working for international organizations in Geneva, and offer them words of encouragement.

* unofficial translation