1. On November 13, Foreign Minister Park Jin met with Piotr Hofmański, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), during the latter’s visit to the Republic of Korea to attend the ICC Asia-Pacific high-level seminar*. They discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the ICC, as well as the current global political situation. ICC Judge Chung Chang-ho also joined this meeting, and together, looked back on his nine years of service at the ICC.

* From November 14 to 15, 2023, the Republic of Korea government and the ICC jointly hosted a high-level regional seminar in Seoul under the theme “The ICC and Asia-Pacific: Past, Present, and Future of the Rome Statute – A Vision for Regional Solidarity.” This seminar marks the second face-to-face meeting in Seoul following the first of its kind in 2017.

2. Foreign Minister Park Jin emphasized the significance of holding a high-level regional seminar for Asia-Pacific states in Seoul, particularly in the year that marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, viewing it as a pivotal moment for the ICC’s development. He stated that the Republic of Korea, as a major contributor to the ICC, will continue its efforts to help realize international criminal justice.

3. ICC President Piotr Hofmański expressed his gratitude towards the Republic of Korea for its strong support in the ICC’s activities as a key member state, and hoped that the ICC and the Republic of Korea will continue to strengthen cooperation.

4. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Park Jin discussed the vision of the Republic of Korea to become a global pivotal state that leads the rules-based international order. He also exchanged views with ICC President Piotr Hofmański on several topics, including ways to strengthen cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the ICC, the staffing of Korean nationals in the ICC, international issues like the situation in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas armed conflict, and human rights issues in North Korea.