1. On the afternoon of October 23, 2019, Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kang Jeong-sik met with Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Gilles Carbonnier who made a visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK). During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on ways to promote cooperation between the ROK and ICRC.

2. Deputy Minister Kang noted that the conclusion of the agreement between the ROK government and the ICRC to formally establish the ICRC office in the ROK in 2018 played a crucial role in increasing the ICRC’s roles in the ROK and in strengthening cooperation between the ROK and ICRC. He also suggested further promoting bilateral cooperation in response to major global humanitarian crises.

○ Deputy Minister Kang added that as a middle-power country of the international community, the ROK government has increased humanitarian assistance through the ICRC.

3. Vice President Carbonnier expressed appreciation for the ROK government’s support and cooperation for concluding the aforementioned agreement; mentioned that the ROK’s assistance to the ICRC has continued to increase; and voiced hope that bilateral cooperation in response to global humanitarian crises would be expanded.

○ Vice President Carbonnier went on to explain that the ICRC has so far carried out activities in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea such as providing water and medical services by operating its office in Pyeongyang, and said that the ICRC will continue such humanitarian activities.

4. The meeting is seen to have served as an opportunity to exchange bilateral views on current issues such as the ICRC’s activities in response to global humanitarian crises, and to reaffirm their willingness to maintain bilateral cooperation in this regard.