1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jongmoon spoke over the phone with Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for South Asia and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the United Kingdom, at the latter’s request on March 10, and exchanged views on ways for the two countries to work together in promoting democracy and human rights.

2. Minister of State Lord Ahmad said that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pleased to be able to discuss key global issues including democracy and human rights with the Korean President at the upcoming G7 Summit in June, and conveyed expectations over the Korean President’s visit to the UK in June.

3. The two sides took note that Korea and the UK have cooperated as like-minded countries on major human rights issues, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in protecting and promoting human rights at the 46^th session of the Human Rights Council (Feb. 22-Mar. 23, 2021, Geneva).

4. In particular, the two sides shared their interest and concern over the recent situation in Myanmar, and agreed on the importance of immediately stopping the use of violence against protesters as well as the international community’s concerted efforts to guarantee fundamental freedoms and restore democracy in Myanmar.

5. In addition, Minister of State Lord Ahmad welcomed Korea’s participation in the UK-led Media Freedom Coalition, and Vice Minister Choi stressed that Korea, as a country that values the freedom of press, will play necessary roles and make contributions.