1. On the sidelines of the ASEAN-related foreign ministerial meetings 2016 in Vientiane, Laos, from July 24 to 26, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met bilaterally with Foreign Minister Murray McCully of New Zealand in Vientiane on July 25. In their meeting, the two top diplomats exchanged views on major matters of mutual concern, including the Republic of Korea-New Zealand cooperation on political affairs and economy as well as issues concerning the Korean Peninsula.

2. The two Ministers saw eye to eye that their two countries, as the best partners, share a strategic understanding on stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, which is currently undergoing the most dynamic growth in the world.

° The two Ministers, noting that Prime Minister Key’s official visit to the ROK in March 2015 and the entry of the bilateral FTA into force in December 2015 helped further develop the bilateral relationship, agreed to work closely together to seek further progress in the bilateral ties, such as through high-level exchanges.

3. Minister Yun extended appreciation to the government of New Zealand for promptly issuing a statement strongly condemning North Korea for its nuclear test and missile launches and for making efforts as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the adoption of the recent Security Council resolution on North Korea and for its thorough implementation.

° In response, Minister McCully, mentioning the need to clearly show the international community’s firm stance against North Korea’s provocations, agreed to render strong cooperation at the ASEAN-related meetings.


* unofficial translation