1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, in Seoul on July 6, and discussed ways to enhance the friendly and cooperative relations between the Republic of Korea and the Holy See, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and ways to work together on global issues.

2. Minister Kang welcomed Secretary Gallagher’s first official visit to the ROK as Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, and offered to continue to further deepen the friendly and cooperative relations between the ROK and the Holy See, marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Secretary Gallagher said that he was also pleased to visit the ROK for the first time, and looked forward to President Moon Jae-in’s visit to the Holy See, with this year marking the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Secretary Gallagher also offered to further advance the relations between the ROK and the Holy See through such high-level exchanges.

3. Minister Kang explained the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, and the ROK government’s North Korea policy, and expressed appreciation to Pope Francis for releasing messages to wish for peace on the Korean Peninsula on every major occasion, including the inter-Korean and US-North Korea summits. Minister Kang also asked for the Holy See’s continued interest and support to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and establish a lasting peace on the Peninsula.

※ Since his inauguration, Pope Francis has released nine messages for the ROK, including messages to wish for the success of the US-North Korea summit (June 10), and to support the inter-Korean summit (April 27), as well as the positive results of the summit (April 29).

o Secretary Gallagher said that his visit to the Demilitarized Zone on July 5 helped him better understand the reality of the Korean Peninsula, and that the Holy See would continue to cooperate with the ROK government and all others in their efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and establish peace on the Peninsula.

o Secretary Gallagher also talked about his experience of visiting North Korea to support humanitarian projects in the past, and expressed hope that considering the progress made in efforts to denuclearize North Korea, the Holy See would consult with the international community on the resumption of humanitarian assistance to North Korea.

4. Furthermore, Minister Kang and Secretary Gallagher engaged in a broad exchange of views on a range of global issues, including the refugee issue, and the situation in Syria, and shared the view that the international community’s joint efforts were necessary to respond to such global issues.

5. During his visit to the ROK (July 4-9), Secretary Gallagher paid a courtesy call on President Moon (July 5), and visited the DMZ (July 5), and will meet with Catholic members of the National Assembly (July 6), give a lecture at the Catholic University of Korea (July 7), and hold a mass at Myeongdong Cathedral (July 7).

6. The meeting served as an opportunity to expand and deepen the friendly and cooperative relations between the ROK and the Holy See, marking the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and to secure continued cooperation from the Holy See, which has expressed interest in and support for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

* unofficial translation