1. Director-General for African and Middle Eastern Affairs Koh Kyung-sok, together with Mr. Takahashi Katsuhiko, Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, held the 8th Republic of Korea (ROK)-Japan Director-General-Level Middle East Policy Consultation in Tokyo, Japan, on the afternoon of November 18 and exchanged views on the two countries’ policies toward the Middle East and outlooks on the regional situation.

° The two Directors-General agreed that the ROK and Japan share many interests on Middle Eastern issues and that peace and stability in the region is directly linked to the stability of the entire international community, and agreed to continue relevant communication and cooperation.

2. During his visit to Japan, Director-General Koh also met with Director-General of the African Affairs Department of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mori Mikio and exchanged views on the impact of COVID-19 on Africa, the status of the two countries’ assistance to the region, and the way forward for their cooperation on Africa.

° In particular, the two sides noted with appreciation that, under the circumstance where borders of African countries have been closed due to the spread of COVID-19 infections, the ROK and Japan have cooperated in supporting  repatriation of their nationals residing in Africa, and explored possible ways for future cooperation.

3. The ROK-Japan Middle East Policy Consultation and consultation between the directors-general for African affairs are seen to have served as good opportunities to promote the two countries’ shared interests by enhancing their mutual understanding and cooperation on the Middle East and Africa despite the COVID-19 crisis.