On May 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with Dr. Comfort Ero, President of the International Crisis Group (ICG), during her visit to Korea. The Minister and the President exchanged views on the importance of and ways to strengthen cooperation with the Global South, as well as on the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

Minister Cho stated that as the geopolitical landscape undergoes significant shifts due to the intensifying strategic competition between the U.S. and China, the Ukraine war, the Middle East crisis, etc., the Global South is becoming strategically important. He proposed that the ROK and the ICG, which monitors conflicts around the world and offers advice to key policymakers, should collaborate to establish regional diplomatic strategies.

Minister Cho also explained that Korea is expanding its role and contributions to match its status as a Global Pivotal State. He emphasized that the ROK plans to develop a win-win partnership with the Global South by leveraging Korea’s strengths and capabilities based on its rapid industrialization and democratization experience, especially through the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit next week.

President Ero deeply agreed on the importance of Global South countries in solving international challenges amid the shifting geopolitical environment. She emphasized the need to address international challenges such as poverty, security, and debt relief issues faced by many Global South countries.

Furthermore, President Ero appreciated that the ROK has achieved economic prosperity and political democracy based on the universal values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. She stated that the ICG would cooperate to enhance the ROK’s status and role in the international community, including in working with the Global South.

Minister Cho and President Ero also exchanged views on recent developments concerning major diplomatic issues, such as the results of the ROK-Japan-China Trilateral Summit, ROK-Japan relations, ROK-China relations, and U.S.-China relations.

※ During the visit to Korea, President Ero is scheduled to give a lecture to the students of the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University on May 29.