Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Choi Youngsam

February 23, 2021 14:30 KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold the “dialogue between the Minister and the heads of Korea's overseas diplomatic missions” in a virtual format tomorrow, Wednesday, February 24.

In the first dialogue with the heads of overseas diplomatic missions since his inauguration, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong, together with 186 chiefs of diplomatic missions, will hold a discussion under the theme “diplomacy responding to the changing external environment including the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The dialogue is expected to serve as an opportunity for the Foreign Ministry to explore ways to respond actively to the changing diplomatic landscape at home and abroad including the continuing COVID-19 situation as well as ways to strengthen close communication between the Foreign Ministry headquarters and its overseas diplomatic missions.

Moving on to the next topic, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun will deliver remarks at the High-Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament to be held virtually this evening, Korea Standard Time.

In his remarks, Vice Minister Choi will stress the importance of revitalizing the Conference on Disarmament, the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum, and strengthening the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

In addition, Vice Minister Choi will stress the Korean government’s commitment to pursuing the Korean Peninsula Peace Process, and ask the international community for support.

Lastly, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong-moon will deliver a keynote address at the high-level segment of the 46^th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to be held virtually early in the morning on February 24, Korea Standard Time.

In his keynote address, Vice Minister Choi will highlight international human rights issues that have become more pressing due to COVID-19, and share issues of interest for the Korean government regarding human rights, as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2020-2022 term.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)