Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Soosuk Lim

May 11, 2023  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, together with Minister for Trade Ahn Dukgeun, will hold the ROK-Canada 2+2 High-Level Economic Security Dialogue with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne of Canada, at the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 16.

Launched as the leaders of the two countries agreed during their summit in September last year, the Dialogue will be a forum for the two sides to exchange views on key economic issues and ways to increase bilateral cooperation between the ROK and Canada.

Next, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin will deliver opening remarks at the 2023 Korea-LAC Future Cooperation Forum to be held in Seoul on May 16.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Park will stress that the Korean government, as a Global Pivotal State, is committed to expanding cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean.

The forthcoming Forum, to be held under the theme “Cooperation for Prosperity in a Changing World Order,” will bring together about 200 people, the largest ever, including high-level officials from ten LAC countries, including Brazil and Mexico, and international organizations, as well as representatives from domestic governments, academia and businesses.

In addition, Foreign Minister Park will meet with a delegation from the Japan-Korea Economic Association on May 15 and exchange views on the Korea-Japan relations and economic cooperation. The delegation will visit Korea to attend the 55th Korea-Japan Business Conference.

Lastly, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Dohoon will hold the 1st Korea-UK Senior Economic Dialogue with Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 12.

In the meeting, the two sides will discuss ways to respond to global supply chain disruptions, strengthen economic security, and enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.

On the occasion of the meeting, Vice Minister Lee, along with Vice Minister of Economy and Finance Bang Kisun, will sign the Letter of Intent for the Strategic Development Partnership with Minister of State Trevelyan.

With the signing of the letter of intent, the two countries will work together more closely in development cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)