Kim Geon, Deputy Minister, to Visit Singapore and Indonesia from the 24th... Expanding Face-to-Face Diplomacy

Minister Kang Kyung-hwa to Expand Face-to-Face Diplomacy with ASEAN Countries After Vietnam Visit
Likely to Hold Meeting with Local Korean Businesspeople

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Kim Geon, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit Singapore and Indonesia consecutively starting from the 24th. Following Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha's visit to Vietnam last week, Deputy Minister Kim is visiting two ASEAN countries, accelerating face-to-face diplomacy.

On the 22nd, a Foreign Ministry official met with reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul and stated, "Deputy Minister Kim is scheduled to visit Singapore and Indonesia from the 24th," adding, "This is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that high-level officials are visiting these two countries consecutively."

Deputy Minister Kim plans to review the status of projects related to the New Southern Policy promoted by the Moon Jae-in administration. Minister Kang had requested ASEAN countries' support for the New Southern Policy during the ASEAN-related foreign ministers' video conference held earlier this month. Deputy Minister Kim will also meet with the ASEAN Secretary-General and foreign affairs officials to discuss bilateral issues, hold meetings with Korean businesspeople, and listen to local conditions.

The Foreign Ministry official explained, "Since Singapore recently introduced a system to simplify entry for essential personnel such as businesspeople, we plan to assess its effectiveness on-site and determine what support can be provided," adding, "Meetings with local businesspeople are also being arranged in Indonesia." Indonesia, which previously introduced a fast-track system, has seen about 1,500 businesspeople enter since the system's implementation.

Meanwhile, Vietnam, which Minister Kang visited to discuss the prompt introduction of the fast-track system and the resumption of flights, is left with only detailed coordination. A Foreign Ministry official said, "We are discussing the introduction of the fast-track system and the resumption of charter flights with Vietnam," adding, "Only additional consultations remain, so it is almost in the final stages."