1. MOFAT’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Kim Kyou-hyun will visit Bolivia, Panama and Costa Rica on June 1-9 to attend the 42nd General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), the 2012 meeting of heads of diplomatic missions of the Republic of Korea in Latin America, and the 3rd ROK- Costa Rica Policy Consultation.

2. At the 42nd OAS meeting to be held in Cochabamba, Bolivia, on June 3-5, Deputy Minister Kim will speak about the ongoing cooperation between the ROK and Latin America and discuss with the delegates from the other participating countries ways to work together on the international stage. During his visit to Bolivia, Deputy Minister Kim will also meet with Bolivian Foreign Minister Choquehuanaca to discuss ways to promote substantive cooperation between the two countries in economy, trade, energy, resources and development.

* The ROK joined the OAS as a permanent observer in 1981.

3. Deputy Minister Kim will proceed to Panama on June 5 to preside over the 2012 meeting of the heads of ten diplomatic missions in Latin America. The meeting will deal with ways to tighten the relations between the ROK and Latin American countries; increase diplomatic activities in the Caribbean; strengthen security cooperation with Latin American countries and ensure the safety of ROK nationals and companies in the region; and support ROK companies’ bid to enter the regional market.

4. Deputy Minister Kim will last visit Costa Rica on June 6-7. On June 6, he will hold the 3rd ROK- Costa Rica Policy Consultation with a delegation of Costa Rica’s Foreign Ministry officials led by Deputy Minister Roversi. The two sides will review key bilateral matters, including high-level exchanges on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and discuss ways to increase substantive cooperation in various fields.

                                     Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation