Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea

07/01/2022 | Press release | Archived content

Spokesperson's Press Briefing (June 30, 2022)

Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Choi Youngsam

June 30, 2022 14:30 KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today's briefing.

First, on Monday morning, July 4, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin will meet with Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Marcelo Ebrard, who will visit Korea from July 3 to 6.

In the upcoming meeting, the two sides will discuss the way forward to develop the bilateral relations between Korea and Mexico, which mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year; ways to increase trade and investment, including negotiations on the Korea-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (FTA); and ways to expand substantive cooperation in the supply chains, economic security, health and medical service, and aerospace. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Park will also actively ask the Mexican side for its support for Korea's bid to host the World Expo in Busan.

In addition, immediately after the meeting, the two sides will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on development cooperation between Korea and Mexico, thereby strengthening the institutional foundation for the two countries to conduct trilateral cooperation projects in other regions.

Next, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin will deliver opening remarks at the 2022 Korea-LAC Future Cooperation Forum to be held in Busan on Tuesday, July 5.

At the forthcoming Forum, around 200 participants, including ministerial and vice ministerial-level officials from major LAC countries, high-level Korean government officials, academics, and entrepreneurs, will discuss various ways for cooperation between Korea and the LAC region in economic security as well as ways for country-specific cooperation in the digital transformation, infrastructure, the green industry, and agriculture and fisheries industries.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Park will offer congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and 15 LAC countries this year, express the new Korean government's will to strengthen cooperation with the LAC region, and ask the LAC countries for their support for Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan.

Next, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin will visit Singapore from Tuesday, July 5, to Thursday, July 7.

Foreign Minister Park will meet with Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong and Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, and discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and exchange views on key global issues, including the situations in Myanmar and Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Park's visit to Singapore, which marks the Korean Foreign Minister's first visit to an ASEAN country since the inauguration of the new Korean government, is expected to serve as an opportunity to explore ways to work together in new areas including the digital sector and to reaffirm the Korean government's commitment to strengthening cooperation with ASEAN.

Next, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin will attend the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held in Bali, Indonesia, from Thursday, July 7, to Friday, July 8.

Indonesia, which holds the G20 Presidency for this year, is stressing the promotion of multilateralism to respond to global crises under the theme of the G20 Summit "Recover Together, Recover Stronger." At the upcoming Foreign Ministers' Meeting, participants will hold discussions on "Strengthening Multilateralism" and "Addressing Food and Energy Security".

On this occasion, Foreign Minister Park will attend the 21st MIKTA Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which will also be held in Bali on Thursday afternoon, July 7.

The upcoming Meeting will be chaired by Türkiye, formerly called Turkey, which holds the chairmanship of MIKTA. The foreign ministers of the five MIKTA countries will exchange views on the developments in Ukraine, food security, and migration. The Meeting is expected to serve as an opportunity to deepen the concrete cooperation among MIKTA countries on the international stage.

Furthermore, on Friday afternoon, July 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin will hold his first meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia Retno L.P. Marsudi since his inauguration.

In the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers will discuss ways to advance the bilateral relations between Korea and Indonesia, which forged the Special Strategic Partnership and will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, and exchange views on the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in other major regions.

Bilateral meetings with other countries on the occasion of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting are being coordinated. We will let you know as soon as the entire plan is finalized.

Lastly, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Dohoon will attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in Lugano, Switzerland, from Monday, July 4, to Tuesday, July 5.

The upcoming Conference, the first high-level international meeting on the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine, will bring together representatives from around 40 countries and major international organizations, including the President of Ukraine, who will attend virtually.

In his remarks at a plenary session on Tuesday, July 5, Vice Foreign Minister Lee will reaffirm Korea's solidarity with Ukraine, explain Korea's assistance towards Ukraine and neighboring countries so far, and actively express Korea's interest and commitment to support the reconstruction and recovery efforts in Ukraine.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)