Minister Kang Kyung-hwa Meets with ICRC President to Discuss North Korea Humanitarian Aid Situation

Meeting with Bahrain Minister of Culture Emphasizes Need for Follow-up Measures on 'Japan's Modern Industrial Facilities World Heritage Registration'
Promoting 'Gaetbeol' World Heritage Registration, Requesting Support and Cooperation from Bahrain Side

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] To attend the 16th Manama Dialogue (4th-6th), Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha visited Bahrain and held meetings with Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Culture, prior to the opening of the Manama Dialogue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 5th.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Kang discussed cooperation on COVID-19, the 2021 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting, and the situation of humanitarian aid to North Korea with ICRC President Maurer.

Minister Kang praised the dedication of ICRC staff and volunteers who continue to operate on the front lines of humanitarian crises amid the COVID-19 situation and stated that both sides will continue to cooperate closely in response to COVID-19.

ICRC President Maurer expressed his intention to participate in the 2021 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting to be hosted by South Korea, and Minister Kang welcomed ICRC’s participation and responded that both sides will cooperate closely to ensure the successful hosting of the meeting.

Additionally, Minister Kang received updates from President Maurer regarding the recent withdrawal of ICRC staff from the Pyongyang office and exchanged views on the situation of humanitarian aid to North Korea amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following this, at the invitation of Minister Mai, Minister Kang visited the Ibrahim Cultural Center and discussed issues related to UNESCO World Heritage with Minister Mai. Bahrain was the chair country that hosted the 42nd World Heritage Committee in 2018, where the inscription of Japan’s Modern Industrial Heritage was discussed, and is the vice-chair country of the World Heritage Committee in 2021.

Minister Kang emphasized the need to implement follow-up measures after the inscription of Japan’s Modern Industrial Heritage on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and Minister Mai mentioned the implications and importance of world heritage in terms of preserving historical identity and memory. Minister Kang also requested Bahrain’s support and cooperation for South Korea’s efforts to inscribe its ‘Getbol’ (tidal flats) as a World Heritage site.