1. Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kim Gunn met with Ambassador of New Zealand to the Republic of Korea Philip Turner on the morning of September 21 at the latter’s request.

o Ambassador Turner said that New Zealand values its relations with the ROK, a long-standing friend, and hopes to continue to further strengthen bilateral relations. He went on to say that New Zealand hopes to hold the Foreign Ministry Consultations between the deputy foreign ministers of the two countries as early as possible within this year for close cooperation and communication between the two countries.

o Deputy Minister Kim noted that amid the suspension of regular flights between the two countries, about 1,900 Korean nationals were able to return home smoothly with the cooperation of New Zealand, and that recently, a Korean emergency patient in Papua New Guinea was also able to return home safely with the cooperation of New Zealand. He also agreed on the need to hold the Foreign Ministry Consultation in a face-to-face or virtual format at a mutually convenient time.

o Deputy Minister Kim noted with appreciation that New Zealand is actively supporting the ROK’s candidacy at international organizations, and asked New Zealand again for its attention to and support for Minister for Trade Yoo Myung-hee, a candidate for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General.

o Deputy Minister Kim took note that the two sides had closely cooperated at the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers’ Meetings (September 9-12) based on bilateral communication, including his virtual meeting with New Zealand's Senior Official for ASEAN Alison Mann (September 7). The two sides also agreed to continue close cooperation in preparing for the EAS Summit to be held in November this year.

o Ambassador Turner noted with appreciation that the two countries have been closely cooperating on COVID-19 vaccines through various multilateral mechanisms, including the COVAX  Facility, and the two sides agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in the area.

2. The two sides agreed to continue close communication and cooperation in order to achieve economic recovery and address regional issues even amid considerable restrictions on exchanges due to COVID-19.