1. During her visit to the Swiss Confederation for the Davos Forum 2019, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha met bilaterally with Foreign Minister of the Federative Republic of Brazil Ernesto Araujo on January 24. In the meeting, the two top diplomats discussed efforts to bolster the Republic of Korea-Federative Republic of Brazil relations in 2019, the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and on; an early conclusion of a trade agreement (TA) between the ROK and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and other ways to step up economic cooperation; ways to increase substantive cooperation in such sectors as infrastructure, high technology, education and tourism; and the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Latin America.

2. Minister Kang, extending congratulations to Minister Araujo on his and the new Brazilian government’s inaugurations, suggested that the two countries hold a variety of celebratory events for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2019, boost high-level exchanges, and put in high gear the existing consultative channels in a bid to further beef up the bilateral ties.

° Minister Araujo, bringing attention to President Bolsonaro’s view of the ROK as a model Brazil should learn from as well as the President’s strong hope to further deepen ties with the ROK, expressed expectation for closer ties with the country.

3. Minister Kang forecast that the currently negotiated ROK-MERCOSUR TA, when concluded, would lead to a great growth in trade and investment between the two countries, asking for Brazil’s robust cooperation for smooth progress of the second round of negotiations, which is scheduled for March 2019.

° Minister Araujo, sharing Minister Kang’s view that the ROK-MERCOSUR TA should be concluded as soon as possible, spoke about the new Brazilian government’s economic policy direction, including its privatization efforts and eased regulations. He went on to ask Korean enterprises to pay attention to the privatization policy of the new Brazilian government.

4. The two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in such areas of mutual concern as infrastructure, high technology and education; and to seek to conclude in 2019 an exchange of notes on the working holiday program and make various other efforts to promote exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.

5. Minister Kang asked the Brazilian government to remain supportive of the ROK government’s work to achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and advance inter-Korean relations. Minister Araujo expressed support for efforts toward the denuclearization and peace on the Korean Peninsula. Explaining the current situation in Venezuela, he underscored the need for continued attention of the international community to the issue.

6. At the first ROK-Brazil foreign ministerial meeting since the inauguration of the new government in the latter country on January 1, 2019, the two sides agreed to further advance the bilateral ties in the year marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and on; and checked areas of shared interest. Accordingly, the meeting is seen to have served as an opportunity to more actively seek substantive cooperation between the two countries.

* unofficial translation