On August 19, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina met with Grahame Morton, Deputy Secretary for Americas and Asia Group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand. They exchanged views on the new Korean government's foreign policy, measures to further strengthen Korea-New Zealand relations, and regional dynamics including the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Vice Minister Kim welcomed the visit of Deputy Secretary Morton and highlighted that New Zealand is Korea's longstanding friend that participated in the Korean War as well as its key like-minded partner, and that the Korean government agrees on the need to elevate bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) this year. She expressed the hope that the upgrade would further deepen cooperation across all areas between the two countries.

Vice Minister Kim also emphasized that the Korean government will continue its efforts to achieve substantive progress toward peace on the Korean Peninsula and the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, and requested New Zealand’s continued interest and support for these endeavors.

Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Kim Hee-sang also held a meeting with Deputy Secretary Morton to exchange views on the elevation of bilateral relations, economic cooperation, regional and international affairs, and collaboration in multilateral fora.

Both sides noted that high-level communications, including the phone call between the leaders of Korea and New Zealand (July 1), have been actively taking place in the lead-up to the envisaged elevation of relations, and agreed to continue working-level consultations to identify concrete avenues for expanding cooperation.

The two sides acknowledged that the Korea–New Zealand FTA, which marks the 10th anniversary of its entry into force this year, has contributed to expanding bilateral trade, and stressed the importance of economic cooperation among like-minded countries in the region amid growing global economic uncertainties. They also discussed ways to broaden practical cooperation in areas such as science and technology, space, the Antarctic, climate change, and people-to-people exchanges including tourism and education. In addition, they engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on regional and global developments.

Furthermore, both sides agreed to deepen economic cooperation by closely working together within various multilateral and regional economic frameworks in which both countries participate. In this regard, Deputy Minister Kim underscored Korea’s thorough preparations for this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and expressed the hope that Prime Minister Luxon of New Zealand would visit the ROK for the meeting. Both sides also shared a recognition of the strategic significance of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).