1. On the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (February 20-21), Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul held bilateral meetings with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy. During their meetings, the foreign ministers exchanged views on bilateral cooperation, international cooperation, and regional and global affairs.

2. During the meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Minister Cho noted with high regard the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” (established in December 2021) between Korea and Australia that has strengthened through strategic talks during high-level exchanges. The two ministers reviewed the achievements and the progress in the two countries’ bilateral cooperation, such as the Korea-Australia Green Economy Partnership Arrangement signed last year and the MOU on Cooperation in Establishing Green Shipping Corridors, as well as cooperation on national defense and relevant industries, and discussed future plans.

3. During his meeting with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Minister Cho referred to Secretary Lammy’s Locarno speech, in which Korea was mentioned as a strategic partner. Minister Cho noted that the “Global Strategic Partnership” between their two countries, which was established in 2023, is becoming increasingly productive. Foreign Secretary Lammy agreed to Minister Cho’s assessment and expressed his hope to continue working closely together to further enhance the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. The two ministers exchanged views on bilateral issues of mutual interest and agreed to maintain close consultations on them.

4. In the Korea-Australia and Korea-UK meetings, the foreign ministers held in-depth discussions on issues of shared interest, including relations with the United States following the launch of the new U.S. administration, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, the war in Ukraine, developments in the Indo-Pacific region, and global affairs. They agreed to continue close communication and cooperation on key international issues.