1. Director-General for International Organizations Chung Byung-ha had a policy consultation with Ms. Merete Brattested, Director-General of the Department for Multilateral Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, on the afternoon of January 19, Seoul time.

2. During the consultation, the two sides extensively discussed global issues of mutual interest, including Norway’s plan as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2021-2022 term, key agendas of the Security Council including the Korean Peninsula issue, and preparations for the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial to be held in Korea in December 2021.

° The Korean side asked for continued attention and support of Norway, a new non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1718, regarding the Korean Peninsula peace process. The Norwegian side, commending the Korean government’s efforts to date, suggested continuing close communication and cooperation between the two countries at the UN, among others.

° The Korean side also highly commended Norway for its active contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations, to the resolution of major conflicts including in South Sudan and between Israel and Palestine, and to peacebuilding. It went on to ask Norway to participate and cooperate actively for the success of “the 4th UN Peacekeeping Ministerial” to be hosted by Korea in early December 2021.

° The Norwegian side explained that, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2021-2022 term, Norway will carry out activities with a focus on such issues as peacebuilding and conflict resolution as well as climate change and security.

° The two sides agreed to hold the policy consultation on a regular basis and step up bilateral cooperation on key global issues.

3. The consultation, held on the occasion of Norway’s assumption of non-permanent membership of the Security Council, is seen to have served as an opportunity to further reinforce multilateral cooperation between Korea and Norway, which have worked closely together on global issues. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to hold bilateral consultations with members of the Security Council as part of its efforts to prepare for Korea’s bid for non-permanent membership of the Security Council for the 2024-2025 term.