1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha held the program “Experience Korea 2019” -- the Diplomatic Corps excursion to Gyeonggi and Gangwon Provinces on June 21-22, 2019.

° Around 70 people, including the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions of 47 countries accredited to the Republic of Korea and their spouses, participated in the program.

° Minister Kang hosted a dinner for the Diplomatic Corps on June 21 and walked along the “DMZ Peace Trail” with the Diplomatic Corps on June 22.

2. In her welcoming remarks at the dinner for the Diplomatic Corps on June 21, Minister Kang mentioned that the program had been arranged to get a glimpse of Korean traditional culture, to witness the changing security landscape on the Korean Peninsula, and to take a close look at Korea’s industry and its latest technology.

° Minister Kang expressed hope that the visit to the Hyundai Kia Motors R&D Center in Hwaseong had served as an opportunity for the Diplomatic Corps to enhance understanding on the ROK government’s hydrogen economy policy that it has been implementing pursuant to its roadmap of national policy for boosting hydrogen economy, announced in January 2019.

° Minister Kang went on to say that the program, which included a visit to Gangwon Province, will help vitalize tourism in the region damaged by wildfires.

° In particular, Minister Kang mentioned that the “DMZ Peace Trail” had been opened up to the public to mark the first anniversary of the April 27th inter-Korean Summit in Panmunjom last year. She asked the Diplomatic Corps to support and join the ROK government’s continued efforts toward permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula and its denuclearization.

° Lastly, Minister Kang extended appreciation to the Diplomatic Corps for their endeavors to strengthen the bonds of mutual cooperation and friendship with the ROK.

3. On June 22, Minister Kang walked along the Goseong stretch of the “DMZ Peace Trail,” taking the opportunity to observe peace being established in the inter-Korean border area together with the Diplomatic Corps.

° On the “DMZ Peace Trail” built along barbed-wire coastal fences, Minister Kang, together with the Diplomatic Corps, wrote a card of hope to express wish for peace on the Korean Peninsula and viewed the north of the border at the Mt. Geumgangsan observatory.

* unofficial translation