1. On October 19, Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam met with Deputy Foreign Minister Marek Magierowski of Poland, who was on a visit to the Republic of Korea for the 14th ROK-Poland policy consultation. In their meeting, the two senior diplomats exchanged views on ways to step up substantive cooperation between their countries and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

2. Vice Minister Lim noted with appreciation that robust high-level exchanges, including the official visit to Poland by National Assembly Speaker Chung Se-kyun from October 16 till 18, have been building momentum for the development of the ROK-Poland relations. He went on to express hope that based on such achievements, the two countries will see their substantive cooperation increase even further.

° In particular, he voiced hope that the ROK and Poland will work more closely together in defense industry through such joint projects as that for the production of self-propelled artillery (Krab).

3. Deputy Minister Magierowski, stressing that the ROK is perceived as a close, quasi-alliance partner, pointed out that Korean investors in Poland are appreciated for fulfilling their social responsibilities and creating jobs in the country. He went on to voice hope that the ROK and Poland will seek cooperation in electric vehicle and other high-tech industries in a way that combines the ROK’s technology with Polish workforce.

4. Vice Minister Lim spoke about the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and the ROK government’s policy toward North Korea, expressing hope that Poland, set to serve on the UN Security Council during its 2018-2019 term as one of its non-permanent members, will support the ROK’s position in terms of responding to the North Korean nuclear issue.

° Deputy Minister Magierowski pointed out that Poland, a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) that pays keen attention to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, will work closely with the ROK at the UN Security Council.

5. The ROK-Poland vice foreign ministerial meeting is seen to have served as an opportunity to further reinforce the ties between the two strategic partners working closely together in political affairs and substantive areas, and to extensively discuss ways to coordinate on North Korean issues with Poland, scheduled to serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council during the 2018-2019 term.


* unofficial translation