Press Briefing 

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Choi Youngsam 

July 26, 2022  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

The Korean government strongly condemns the execution of four pro-democracy and opposition activists by the Myanmar military regime last weekend as an act of violence that disregards human rights and the rule of law. In that regard, the Korean government announced on July 26 a joint statement issued by Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin together with his counterparts from major countries of the international community. 

The Korean government stresses that such an action is not at all conducive to peace and stability in Myanmar, and sternly urges restraint. 

In addition, the Korean government once again calls on the Myanmar military regime to cease the use of violence, release all those unjustly detained, and fulfill its obligations under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s Five-Point Consensus*.

* ① immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar ② commencement of constructive dialogue among all parties concerned ③ facilitation of mediation by a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair ④ provision of humanitarian assistance by ASEAN ⑤ visits by the ASEAN Chair’s special envoy and delegation to Myanmar to meet with all parties concerned

Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin will present a letter of appointment signed by the President to Ambassador for International Cooperation on North Korean Human Rights Lee Shin-wha on the morning of Thursday, July 28.

On the heels of the presentation ceremony, Foreign Minister Park will have a meeting with Ambassador Lee and ask her to make efforts to promote human rights in North Korea in cooperation with the international community. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expects that new Ambassador Lee Shin-wha, who was appointed to the post about two months after the inauguration of the new Korean government, will increase awareness in the international community and lead its cooperation regarding the Korean government’s policy on human rights in North Korea.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 27, Vice Ministers of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyundong and Lee Dohoon will have a working luncheon and a meeting, respectively, with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, who will visit Korea from July 26 to 28.

During these meetings, the two sides will extensively discuss Korean Peninsula issues, the Korea-U.S. relations, and regional and global affairs. 

On Thursday, July 28, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyundong will preside over the 8th Korea-Argentina high-level policy consultation together with Pablo Anselmo Tettamanti, Vice-Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina who will visit Korea from July 27 to 29. 

In the policy consultation to take place as Korea and Argentina mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, the two Vice Ministers will exchange their views on ways to promote bilateral relations in various areas including substantive fields such as economic security, as well as political and social affairs, economy and culture.

The Korean side will also ask Argentina to render support for Korea’s bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan. 

(A question-and-answer session followed.)