1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong attended the Group of Seven (G7) Foreign and Development Ministers’ Meeting held in London, the U.K., from May 4 to 5.
° The Meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of the G7 member countries, the 4 guest countries (Korea, Australia, India and South Africa), and Brunei (the chair of ASEAN).
2. Participating ministers discussed developments in the Indo-Pacific region, sharing values among open societies, ensuring an equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, mobilizing climate finance, and supporting climate response and girls’ education in the developing countries.
3. Foreign Minister Chung relayed Korea’s commitment to contribute to addressing global challenges such as health and climate change ahead of the G7 Summit to be held in Cornwall, the U.K., from June 11 to 13.
° Foreign Minister Chung shared Korea’s New Southern Policy (NSP) Plus, its vision in the Indo-Pacific region, stressed synergies between the NSP Plus and other regional initiatives, and urged better coordination for the protection of the marine environment in the region.
° Foreign Minister Chung also asked for the G7’s attention to and support for the Korean Peninsula Peace Process.
◦ Foreign Minister Chung explained the Korean New Deal policy and its international cooperation to promote and protect economic values which underpin open societies.
° Foreign Minister Chung shared Korea’s experience of COVID-19 pandemic response. He also stressed the need for enhanced international cooperation to ensure an equitable access to vaccines and urged the G7 members’ leadership in this regard.
4. Foreign Minister Chung held bilateral talks with ministers of participating countries, including the United States, Japan, the European Union, Germany, Canada and Brunei, on the occasion of the Meeting and will hold a strategic dialogue with the United Kingdom on May 6.
5. The Meeting was held in compliance with the U.K. government’s strict health measures against COVID-19, including wearing face coverings and social distancing.
6. The Korean government will continue to work together with the G7 and the guest countries to build on the discussions at the Meeting in order for the Summit in June to produce fruitful outcomes on its key agendas.