1. On the occasion of the 2019 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial (New York), Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha held a meeting with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Le Drian on March 28. In the meeting, the two sides discussed diverse issues including bilateral relations between the Republic of Korea and the French Republic, global issues such as climate change, and the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.

2. The two Ministers noted with appreciation that the ROK and France, by holding high-level exchanges since the bilateral summit in October 2018, including the bilateral foreign ministerial meeting on the occasion of the Munich Security Conference in February, 2019, have been consulting closely with each other on matters concerning bilateral substantive cooperation.

o Minister Kang expressed regret over the European Union (EU)’s decision to impose safeguard measures on steel products; brought attention to the fact that Korean-made steel is being used as intermediate material for automobiles, home appliances and other goods produced in and exported by the EU, thereby contributing to the job creation and the economic growth in the EU region; and requested France to support the ROK’s position -- such as the expansion of the import quota for Korean steel -- to be reflected in the EU’s future review process.

3. The two Ministers shared assessments of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and agreed to continue to work closely together toward a complete denuclearization and the establishment of a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. They also drew a common understanding that it was important to resume US-North Korea dialogue as soon as possible in order to achieve tangible progress on the North Korean nuclear issue.

o In this regard, Minister Kang underscored the role of France as a major member of the EU and permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. In response, Minister Le Drian reaffirmed France’s earnest support and commitment to cooperation regarding the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

4. The two Ministers noted that the ROK and France have shared such values as democracy, free trade and the multilateralism-based world order, and have been working closely with each other on the international stage. They agreed to further step up communication and cooperation between the two countries on global issues such as climate change.

5. The ROK-France foreign ministerial meeting, held only about a month after the one in February, is believed to have served as an opportunity to strengthen communication and promote the friendship between the two Ministers, and to reaffirm the two sides’ strong commitment to the continued development of close cooperative ties between the two countries.