<기사제목>Second Vice Foreign Minister and Chair of the New Southern Policy Committee Hold Video Conference with Indian Regional Chiefs of Mission to Discuss Strengthening the New Southern Policy

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the afternoon of the 2nd, Lee Tae-ho, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Park Bok-young, Chairman of the New Southern Policy Special Committee, held a video conference with the Ambassador to India, the Consul General in Chennai, and the Consul General in Mumbai to discuss ways to strengthen the New Southern Policy and cooperation between Korea and India in the post-COVID-19 era.

Vice Minister Lee stated that through the efforts of our diplomatic missions, a total of 3,860 overseas Koreans have returned home on 18 temporary flights from various parts of India so far, and about 680 of our businesspeople have been able to travel on business trips. He urged continuous efforts to protect our citizens and support corporate activities. In particular, he praised the missions' hard work by mentioning cases such as the emergency repatriation of a child with acute leukemia on May 5th through Korea-Japan cooperation.

Vice Minister Lee also emphasized that the international community is facing the challenge of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and that regional uncertainties have increased. He stated that based on the New Southern Policy, we must continue to expand and deepen the 'special strategic partnership' with India, urging the heads of missions to actively work on the ground despite difficult circumstances.

Chairman Park Bok-young stressed, "Although we have faced unexpected changes in the policy environment due to COVID-19, the response process has served as an opportunity to recognize once again how important the two countries are to each other as partners. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries."

He also explained that the New Southern Policy Special Committee is preparing an upgraded New Southern Policy focusing on people-centered policies such as human security and human development, aiming to strengthen cooperation with India, and requested continued cooperation from the heads of missions.

In response, the heads of diplomatic missions in India attending the meeting stated that their top priority is to minimize inconvenience to our citizens and companies operating in India and support overcoming damages. They will closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in India and pay special attention to the safety of overseas Koreans while supporting exceptional entry for businesspeople.

They added that despite the COVID-19 situation, they will continue to implement existing exchange and cooperation projects to strengthen Korea-India relations and actively work to discover new specialized cooperation areas in the post-COVID-19 era. The heads of missions in India also agreed that people-centered human and cultural exchanges should be expanded to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of Korea and India and shared various opinions on cooperation projects considering India's unique characteristics.

A Foreign Ministry official explained, "This meeting is evaluated as an opportunity to actively seek ways to strengthen cooperation with India, a key partner country of the New Southern Policy and a special strategic partner, through organic communication among headquarters, missions, and the New Southern Policy Special Committee in preparation for the new diplomatic environment after COVID-19."