Yoon "Strengthening Cooperation with New Zealand, a Key Partner in the Indo-Pacific," Luxon "Deep Ties Between the Two Countries"

Yoon "Longtime Ally, First Visit to Korea Welcomed"
New Zealand Prime Minister "Lydia Ko Personally Shows the Best of Both Countries"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is taking a commemorative photo with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon before the Korea-New Zealand summit held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit meeting with Christopher Luxon, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, who visited Korea for the first time, on the 4th, and stated, "As New Zealand is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region, I hope that the two countries will continue to strengthen their contributions at regional and global levels through close cooperation."

At the summit held at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day, President Yoon said, "I welcome the first visit to Korea by Prime Minister Luxon and the first visit in nine years by a New Zealand Prime Minister."

President Yoon greeted, "It is even more delightful to meet again in Seoul just two months after seeing you at the NATO summit held in Washington, USA, last July," and explained, "New Zealand is a long-standing ally that fought alongside us in the Korean War, and the noble sacrifices of New Zealand veterans laid the foundation for the development of the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "Today, the two countries are value partners advocating for liberal democracy and market economy, cooperating closely on regional and international stages," emphasizing, "In the serious situation where challenges from totalitarian and authoritarian forces continue, such as Russia-North Korea military cooperation and the Ukraine war, solidarity among value-sharing countries including Korea and New Zealand is more important than ever."

In response, Prime Minister Luxon expressed his gratitude for President Yoon’s hospitality by greeting in Korean, "Annyeonghaseyo."

Prime Minister Luxon said, "The Republic of Korea is well known to New Zealanders as a country full of energy and creativity seen in K-pop and Korean dramas, and as the hometown of Lydia Ko, a Korean-New Zealand golfer." He mentioned, "Lydia Ko is an athlete who won an Olympic gold medal and conquered tournaments in St. Louis, UK," emphasizing, "Her kindness, humility, and composure personally showcase the best qualities of both New Zealand and the Republic of Korea."

He added, "More than 70 years ago, young New Zealanders fought here for the freedom of the Republic of Korea, and even now, the New Zealand military supports peace on the Korean Peninsula," and said, "Thanks to Korea’s economic scale and outstanding innovation, New Zealand has become Korea’s sixth-largest trading partner, and trade volume between the two countries has been increasing."

Melissa Lee (Korean name Lee Ji-yeon), the first Korean minister in New Zealand, is seated second from the right at the South Korea-New Zealand summit between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Prime Minister Luxon held on the 4th at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Luxon introduced Melissa Lee (Korean name Lee Ji-yeon), New Zealand’s first Korean minister and Minister of Economic Development, who attended the meeting, highlighting the special relationship between the two countries. He explained that 35,000 Koreans reside in New Zealand and are recognized for their efforts in business, sports, and community service.

He also expressed condolences for the three Korean national ski team athletes who tragically died in an accident in New Zealand last month. Luxon said, "I extend my condolences to their families, friends, and Korean ski officials."

On the Korean side, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, National Security Office Director Shin Won-sik, Ambassador to New Zealand Kim Chang-sik, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, Chief of Public Relations Lee Do-woon, and Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop attended the meeting. On the New Zealand side, Minister Melissa Lee, New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Bennett, Deputy Secretary for Policy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Taha McPherson, and Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Mark Talbot were present.