1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong spoke over the phone with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Nanaia Mahuta, on May 11, and had a broad exchange of views on Korea-New Zealand relations, and cooperation in the international arena.

2. The two ministers recognized that high-level exchange between the two countries has been active even amid the COVID-19 situation and agreed to further deepen the cooperative and friendly relations in all areas including people-to-people exchange as the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

○ Regarding the temporarily suspended Working Holiday Scheme between the two countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Foreign Minister Chung asked for New Zealand’s efforts to resume the program as soon as the situation improves.

○ In addition, the two ministers stated that they are looking forward to a substantial discussion at the Korea-New Zealand Joint Economic Committee (Deputy-Minister-level) scheduled to be held on May 12.

3. Ministers Chung and Mahuta agreed that the two countries, as valuable partners in the region, need to further strengthen communication on regional and multilateral cooperation, among other related issues.

○ Foreign Minister Chung appreciated that the APEC has proceeded smoothly under the leadership of New Zealand, this year’s APEC chair. The two ministers agreed to work together to strengthen economic cooperation in the post COVID-19 era.

4. Foreign Minister Chung expressed concerns over the fact that the Japanese government’s decision to discharge the contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the ocean was made without sufficient prior consultations with neighboring countries and without providing scientific evidence, and emphasized the importance of the verification process by international organizations including the IAEA. Foreign Minister Mahuta mentioned the concerns of other Pacific Island countries on the issue and said that New Zealand would continue to coordinate with the IAEA.

5. Foreign Minister Chung looked forward to New Zealand’s continued support for the efforts to make substantive progress in achieving complete denuclearization and establishing permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, and Foreign Minister Mahuta reaffirmed the unwavering support of the New Zealand Government.

6. Lastly, the two ministers reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between countries to overcome the global COVID-19 crisis and agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in this regard.