1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Tae-ho attended the “United Nations (UN) Security Council’s Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security” held in New York on October 29, during which he announced that the government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) will take an active part in the international community’s discussions on women, peace and security, including the combat against sexual violence in conflict.  

2. Vice Minister Lee urged that for a successful implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 set to mark its 20th anniversary in 2020, individual countries increase women’s participation in the peace process, protect women and girls in conflict, and raise awareness on women, peace and security for conflict prevention.

° The Vice Minister also introduced relevant efforts by the ROK government, including hosting the 1^st International Conference on “Action with Women and Peace” in Seoul in July 2019 which will continue to be held on an annual basis, supporting increased participation of police and service women in the UN’s peacekeeping operations, and rendering assistance on projects for combating sexual violence in conflict in Asian and African countries.

° In particular, Vice Minister Lee mentioned that the ROK government will continue efforts to recover the honor and dignity of the so-called “comfort women” victims and to ensure that historical lessons are learned from this issue.

3. The Open Debate brought together delegates from about 70 countries in addition to the 15 member states of the UN Security Council. Among them, seven countries, including the ROK, dispatched minister- or vice-minister-level delegates to the event.

4. On the occasion of the Open Debate, Vice Minister Lee will attend the “10-year Anniversary of the Establishment of the Mandate on Sexual Violence in Conflict” to take place on October 30, local time. At the event, he will commend the achievements made by Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Pramila Patten over the past 10 years, and speak about challenges and tasks.

° In particular, the Vice Minister will introduce the ROK government’s efforts to combat sexual violence in conflict, including supporting projects designed to respond to sexual violence in conflict and holding the 1^st International Conference on “Action with Women and Peace” as part of its “Action with Women and Peace” initiative.