Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Diverse Cooperation with Quad Member Countries... Will Explore How to Enhance Collaboration"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated regarding the Quad, a four-party security consultative framework among the United States, Japan, Australia, and India, that "we are already pursuing various cooperations with the participating countries" and that they will explore how to further cooperate in the future.

At the regular briefing on the 17th, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Choi Young-sam, when asked about the method of participating in the Quad, reaffirmed the existing position that "we can cooperate with any consultative body that aligns with the principles of openness, transparency, and inclusiveness, and contributes to our national interests as well as the peace and prosperity of the region and the international community," and made this statement.

The Quad is a security consultative body that the Joe Biden administration in the United States is focusing on to counter China. The team of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is cooperating with the Quad working groups while also seeking formal membership.

President-elect Yoon completed a phone call with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on the 16th, following U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and is coordinating a call schedule with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, continuing communications with the leaders of the Quad participating countries.

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has pledged to participate in the Quad's vaccine, climate change, and new technology working groups to pursue functional cooperation and to gradually seek formal membership in the future.