Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations Noh Kyu-duk

October 23, 2018  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

First, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will meet with a delegation from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a think tank in the United States, on October 24.

In the meeting, Minister Kang will exchange views on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, and issues regarding the Republic of Korea-US alliance.

Moving on to the next topic, on Wednesday afternoon, Foreign Minister Kang will meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia Marija Pejčinović Burić, who will make her first official visit to the ROK from October 23 till 25.

The two Ministers will review the latest progress in developing the ROK-Croatia relations, including the opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the ROK, and the launch of a direct route between Incheon and Zagreb, and discuss the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Europe, as well as ways to work together on the global stage.

During her visit to the ROK, Minister Pejčinović Burić will also pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, and attend the opening ceremony of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the ROK.

Lastly, Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Tianjin Municipal Committee, will visit the ROK from October 24 to 27 at the invitation of the ROK Foreign Ministry.

During his visit to the ROK, Communist Party Secretary Li will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, attend a luncheon hosted by Foreign Minister Kang, meet with the Vice Speaker of the National Assembly and the head of the ruling party, and attend an event marking 25 years of friendship between Incheon and Tianjin.

Political Bureau member Li’s visit to the ROK is expected to serve as an opportunity to strengthen high-level communications between the government and parliament of the ROK, and the CPC, and to increase exchanges and cooperation between provinces of the two countries.

Thank you.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)

* unofficial translation