Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

January 30, 2018  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

First, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will meet with her Tanzanian counterpart Augustine P. Mahiga at the Foreign Ministry on January 31.

The two Ministers will exchange views on issues of mutual interest, including economic and trade affairs, development cooperation, and the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Africa.

In addition to the meeting with Minister Kang, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahiga will also attend the opening ceremony of the Embassy of Tanzania in the Republic of Korea, as well as a meeting with businessmen hosted by the Tanzanian Embassy.

Moving on to the next topic, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs Lee Do-hoon will visit Russia and meet with Russia’s top negotiator at the Six-Party Talks Igor Morgulov on February 1.

On February 5, Special Representative Lee will also meet with US Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun in Seoul for a meeting of the ROK and US top negotiators at the Six-Party Talks.

In the meetings, Special Representative Lee will share his assessments of the current situation, including North Korea’s participation in the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, and developments in inter-Korean talks, and engage in in-depth discussions on ways to maintain the momentum for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, which has been created through the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

Last, the Center for ASEAN and Indian Studies at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) will hold its opening ceremony at the KNDA on February 1.

The Center for ASEAN and Indian Studies has been established, as there was a lack of domestic research infrastructure that can provide theoretical foundations for the implementation of the New Southern Policy, one of the ROK government’s policy tasks, as well as a call for the creation of a research organization. The Center for ASEAN and Indian Studies is the first government-run organization in the area.

The Center will analyze diplomatic issues with countries in ASEAN and the Indian Ocean region, develop mid- to long-term strategies for implementing the New Southern Policy, strengthen networks with domestic and foreign institutes for ASEAN and Indian studies, and carry out public diplomacy activities to increase mutual understanding and awareness between the ROK people and the people of ASEAN countries and India.

At the opening ceremony, congratulatory remarks will be delivered by Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, and the Ambassadors of Singapore and India to the ROK.

This is all for my opening statement.

[Q&A]

Q: It has been reported that Chinese companies which established limited partnerships or joint ventures in North Korea have withdrawn in large numbers. What information does the ROK government have regarding this?

A: We are also closely watching related developments.

Q: Don’t you have anything to add?

A: If there is anything else to share with you, I will let you know later.

Q: Do you have any further details on Special Representative Joseph Yun’s schedule during his visit to the ROK?

A: What I have at the moment is that he will meet with the ROK top negotiator at the Six-Party Talks. If there is any other information to share with you, I will do so.

I will conclude today’s briefing. Thank you.

* unofficial translation