Jo Tae-yeol "Deployment of North Korean Troops Requires International Community's Vigilance"

Foreign Minister's Remarks at the G7 Meeting Held in Italy

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul urged the international community to remain vigilant about the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, at a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7).

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 27th, Minister Cho discussed issues related to Russia and North Korea, current affairs, and ways to strengthen cooperation between South Korea and the G7 during the 2nd G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Piuji, Italy, on the 25th and 26th (local time). In particular, Minister Cho pointed out that the international community must have "special vigilance" regarding the deployment of North Korean troops during a special outreach session themed "Enhancing Cooperation and Connectivity in the Indo-Pacific Region."

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol attending the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister Cho explained the diplomatic and security strategies and measures that the South Korean government has taken regarding Ukraine, Russia, and North Korea, respectively, and emphasized the need for close cooperation among the international community, including European and Indo-Pacific like-minded countries, to halt the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

He also stressed the necessity of maintaining peace and stability in regional waters, including the South China Sea, and the importance of respecting the principles of international law, while expressing South Korea's commitment to continuously cooperate with the G7 on various issues as a key country in the Indo-Pacific region.

Taking advantage of his attendance at this meeting, Minister Cho held bilateral talks with foreign ministers from major participating countries such as France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Ukraine, Indonesia, and India to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation.

On the 25th, he also met with Andriy Syvukha, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the trends of the Ukraine war, including the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, and South Korea’s support for Ukraine.