1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha will visit New York on March 28-29 for “the 2019 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial” as the head of a foreign and defense joint delegation that includes the Deputy Minister for Policy of the Ministry of National Defense.

° The forthcoming meeting will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on March 29, bringing together high-level delegations from some 110 countries and chaired by the UN Secretary-General.

° The main purpose of the 2019 meeting is to mobilize commitments of the participating countries to support the international community’s efforts; to improve the safety of peacekeepers and local populations; to provide training and equipment necessary for peacekeeping missions; and to promote women’s participation in peacekeeping, amid the changing international security environment, involving the spread of terrorism and violent extremism.

2. In her address at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial on the morning of March 29, Minister Kang will pledge that the Republic of Korea -- a contributor of some 650 troops and police as well as a member of the world’s top ten financial contributors to the peacekeeping budget -- will continue contributing in various areas, including by rendering assistance with training for peacekeepers; providing high-performance equipment such as mine-resistant vehicles; and expanding the participation of Korean service women in peacekeeping. In particular, the Minister will announce that the ROK will host the next UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in 2020.

3. During her visit to New York, Minister Kang will also meet and exchange views with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on matters of mutual concern, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula and global issues.

4. Minister Kang’s participation in the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial will mark the first of its kind by an ROK Foreign Minister. Her participation is expected to provide an opportunity for the ROK to expand its role and enhance its international standing in peacekeeping, which is the flagship activity of the UN. This will eventually contribute to the ROK’s efforts to become a member of the UN Security Council for the 2024-2025 term.

° In particular, the ROK will be the first country in Asia to host the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in 2020, which would help strengthen its role in discussions on peacekeeping and other issues concerning international peace and security.

* unofficial translation