1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun met with outgoing Iraqi Ambassador to Korea Hayder Shiya Al-Barrak on May 26.

2. Vice Minister Choi extended deep appreciation to the Ambassador for his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations through the events marking the 30^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Iraq and several high-level exchanges including the visit to Iraq by a presidential envoy, since taking office as Ambassador to Korea in 2018.

ㅇ Vice Minister Choi suggested that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries continue to engage in exchanges and cooperation in order to expand the scope of cooperation to include various sectors beyond those of traditional cooperation such as infrastructure and construction. He added that the Korean government will continue to support the Iraqi government’s efforts for regional stability and peace.

3. Ambassador Al-Barrak expressed gratitude for the support of the Korean government including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and mentioned that he will continue to seek to expand bilateral relations to various areas between the two countries even after leaving Korea.