Korea-New Zealand to Resume Local Language Training for Rural Youth

The 5th Korea-New Zealand FTA Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Cooperation Committee

The governments of Korea and New Zealand have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation projects, including the resumption of local language training programs in New Zealand for rural youth, to pre-COVID-19 levels.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held the 5th Korea-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Cooperation Committee with New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries and announced this agreement on the 5th.

Under the Korea-New Zealand FTA, which came into effect in December 2015, the two governments signed the "Agreement on Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Cooperation" and have held annual committee meetings to discuss the promotion plans for cooperation projects and to review their implementation status.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation projects over the past three years were conducted in a limited manner, with reduced participants and duration or through non-face-to-face methods. However, through this committee meeting, both countries agreed to normalize cooperation projects conducted locally in New Zealand.

Regarding language training for rural youth, while in 2022 the program was downsized by inviting New Zealand teachers to Korea, this year, with thorough preparations for COVID-19 infection prevention and local safety measures, the program will be conducted on-site in New Zealand.

Training programs will be conducted in cooperation with excellent institutions in New Zealand's agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors. Expert training will involve inviting New Zealand specialists in plant and animal health quarantine, fisheries resource management, and forestry and timber fields to Korea.

Additionally, since the current agreement expires in March next year, both countries agreed to renew the agreement to secure stable momentum for cooperation projects in the future.

Kim Sohyung, head of the Free Trade Agreement team at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "This year, we will focus on expanding bilateral cooperation projects, which had been contracted due to COVID-19, back to pre-pandemic levels, while carefully preparing to ensure that projects proceed safely and smoothly on-site in New Zealand."