[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong urged at the Group of Seven (G7) Foreign and Development Ministers' Meeting held in London, UK, that “international cooperation on COVID-19 vaccines is urgently needed.”
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th, Minister Chung shared the government’s COVID-19 prevention experience with G7 ministers during the meeting held in London on the 4th and 5th (local time). Minister Chung emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and called for leadership from the major G7 countries.
At this meeting, participating countries discussed sharing and cooperation on Indo-Pacific regional policies, sharing and cooperation on the values of an open society, international cooperation for equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, increasing funding and support for developing countries to respond to climate change, and expanding support for girls’ education.
Minister Chung explained the vision and achievements of Korea’s Indo-Pacific regional policy, the New Southern Policy Plus, and stressed that linking this policy with those of other participating countries is effective.
He particularly emphasized the need for cooperation to protect the marine environment within the Indo-Pacific region. This statement is interpreted as targeting Japan’s decision to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Minister Chung requested G7’s support and cooperation for the Korea Peninsula peace process, which is essential for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region and for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
He also explained Korea’s New Deal policy, which the government is implementing to strengthen and maintain the economic values that support an open society, along with related international cooperation.
Minister Chung held bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from six of the 12 participating countries: the United States, Japan, Germany, the European Union (EU), Canada, and Brunei, and will hold a Korea-UK strategic dialogue with the host country, the United Kingdom, on the 6th.
Based on the discussions at this meeting, the government plans to explore ways for Korea to contribute to the agenda of the G7 Summit and continue efforts to address global issues as a leading middle power.
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