1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand Nanaia Mahuta, who is on a visit to Korea to attend the Korea-Pacific Islands Summit, at 8:00-8:40 on May 30 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They exchanged views on the Korea-New Zealand relations; cooperation in the Pacific region; substantive cooperation in economic and trade affairs, science and technology, and the defense industry; and the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

2. Recalling that the long-standing friendship between the two countries began with New Zealand’s deployment of soldiers to the Korean War, the two Foreign Ministers appreciated that high-level exchanges have continued this year following the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year. They also agreed to continue to make substantive progress in the cooperative relations between the two countries, as like-minded countries based on shared values including freedom, democracy and human rights.

3. Foreign Minister Park explained that Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy shows that the country, as a “Global Pivotal State,” is committed to global freedom, peace and prosperity, and agreed to explore ways to work together with New Zealand on the Pacific region, mentioning that there is great potential for cooperation with New Zealand, Korea’s key cooperation partner in the region that shares universal values. 

4. The two Foreign Ministers shared the view that the Korea-New Zealand FTA is serving as an important foundation for expanding bilateral trade and enhancing economic cooperation, and agreed to continue stepping up cooperation in digital trade, science and technology amid intensifying competition among countries over core and emerging technologies.

5. Foreign Minister Park asked for New Zealand’s attention and support to ensure that Korean companies can continue to participate in cooperation in the defense industry, in which an exemplary case is the logistics support vessel Aotearoa. He also expressed appreciation to New Zealand, a member of the United Nations Command, for contributing to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

6. The two Foreign Ministers hoped that people-to-people exchanges between the two countries would be facilitated as the COVID-19 situation improves, and Foreign Minister Park asked for attention to ensure the safety of Korean nationals visiting New Zealand.

7. Regarding Korea’s bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan, Foreign Minister Park shared the results of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)’s recent due diligence on Busan and asked New Zealand for its interest and support.

8. The two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on regional affairs, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Particularly, Foreign Minister Park explained the latest developments regarding North Korea and the Korean government’s North Korea policy, and Foreign Minister Mahuta affirmed New Zealand’s continued commitment to implementing Security Council sanctions on North Korea and expressed support for the Korean government’s North Korea policy.