Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Choi Youngsam

September 2, 2021  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong will deliver welcoming remarks in a video format at the international forum on transboundary air pollution commemorating the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on Tuesday, September 7, to mark the second “International Day of Clean Air for blue skies.”

The “International Day of Clean Air for blue skies,” the first commemorative day designated by the United Nations upon the proposal of Korea, is a meaningful day on which to urge humanity to make joint efforts to respond to air pollution.

On its part, the international community, led by the UN Environment Programme, will hold various official commemorations of the “International Day of Clean Air for blue skies” in diverse parts of the world, including New York, Bangkok and Nairobi.

In his welcoming remarks, Foreign Minister Chung will share the Korean government’s efforts for clean air and highlight the importance of the role of science and technology as well as the significance of cooperation in the region in resolving the air pollution issue.

On Wednesday, September 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong will have a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn, who will visit Korea from September 6 to 8.

The two Foreign Ministers will discuss ways for cooperation between the two countries as well as key regional and global issues.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hopes that, ahead of the 25^th anniversary of the re-establishment of Korea-Cambodia diplomatic relations next year, the forthcoming meeting will serve as a significant opportunity to step up high-level communication and deepen friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

The two Foreign Ministers will also preside over together the 11^th Mekong-ROK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which will be held in a hybrid online and offline format, in their capacity as co-chairs of this year’s Meeting.

In particular, Foreign Minister Chung, together with his counterparts of the five Mekong countries, will review ROK-Mekong cooperation over the past decade and discuss ways to work together in the future to promote economic recovery and resilience in the Mekong region.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)