10th Korea-UAE Foreign Ministers Meeting... First In-Person Meeting Since COVID-19 Pandemic

First Visit to Korea by Foreign Minister Since COVID-19... Discussions Expected on COVID-19 Cooperation and Economic Partnership
Lee Tae-ho, 2nd Vice Minister, Delivers Opening Remarks at the '2020 Youth Model NPT Conference'

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is speaking at a press conference held on the morning of the 2nd at the Government Seoul Office Annex./Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha will hold the first face-to-face foreign ministers' meeting since the global spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 9th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kim In-cheol said at a regular briefing, "Minister Kang is scheduled to hold a Korea-UAE foreign ministers' meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the 10th," adding, "The two ministers have spoken three times this year, and this meeting, the first face-to-face foreign ministers' meeting amid the COVID-19 situation, will evaluate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and discuss ways to develop the Korea-UAE special strategic partnership."

Since the spread of COVID-19 and the closure of borders by various countries, this is the first time a foreign minister from another country has visited Korea. It is known that Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gun conducted related consultations during his visit to the UAE on the 13th of last month. The meeting is expected to include discussions on cooperation in energy, nuclear power plants, desert rice cultivation, and fisheries aquaculture using desalination facilities, which the two countries are currently collaborating on.

Additionally, Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Tae-ho is scheduled to deliver the opening address at the '2020 Youth Model Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Conference' on the 10th. Last year, a resolution on youth and disarmament and non-proliferation was adopted under the leadership of the Korean government at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

Spokesperson Kim said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to continue to lead youth participation in disarmament and non-proliferation discussions through this conference, which is held to mark the 50th anniversary of the NPT's entry into force."

Meanwhile, regarding cases of suspected racial discrimination against overseas Koreans that have occurred consecutively in France, Germany, and other countries, Spokesperson Kim explained, "As soon as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs became aware, it has been verifying facts with local judicial authorities and is identifying related matters through Korean associations within the possible scope," adding, "We are providing necessary consular assistance."