1. On April 15, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se hosted a luncheon for some 110 journalists from 75 countries who are on a visit to the Republic of Korea to attend the 2013 World Journalists Conference organized by the Journalists Association of Korea. At the luncheon, he delivered a 20-minute speech titled “Trustpolitik and Expanding the Horizon of Korea’s Foreign Policy,” and elaborated on the Park Geun-hye government’s vision and foreign policy as well as the Trust-building Process on the Korean Peninsula, and the Peace and Cooperation in Northeast Asia. (* Full text of the speech )

○ In the speech, Minister Yun stressed that North Korea should refrain from any further provocations and make a right choice. He added that the country should break the vicious cycle of its provocation followed by fragile compromise by changing its attitude. He also highlighted the need for the ROK to work closely with the international community to induce such change.

○ Minister Yun also asked the participating journalists to actively support the ROK government’s efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asia and to build a happier and prosperous global village.

2. The 2013 World Journalists Conference -- themed “Communication and Future of Global Journalism”-- marked the first of its kind hosted by the Journalists Association of Korea. From April 15 through 21, the participants will visit cities of Seoul, Suwon, Daejeon, Suncheon and Changwon to make a tour of local cultural and industrial sites. On April 20, they will also visit the inter-Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ).

○ The Conference marks the first large-scale international event since the launch of the new ROK government which senior journalists from across the world attended. Considering this event a good opportunity to enhance understanding on the new government’s policies and the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Foreign Ministry rendered support in inviting foreign journalists through its overseas diplomatic missions.

3. The Foreign Ministry, in an effort to implement its policy tasks under the new government, is in the course of setting country-specific goals and strategies for public diplomacy and conducting various relevant activities in a country-specific manner. Against this backdrop, the 2013 World Journalists Conference is expected to contribute to building a closer network with foreign journalists. It will also help overseas diplomatic missions better conduct country-tailored public diplomacy in their host countries.

* unofficial translation





1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se had a telephone conversation with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague on the evening of April 15. The two sides exchanged views on ways to strengthen the relations between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom, their assessments of the situation in North Korea and ways to address it, and ways for the two countries to work together in the trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula.

2. Minister Yun started out by extending his deep condolences over the passing of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. In response, Secretary Hague expressed deep appreciation over the plan of the ROK government to send a delegation led by former Prime Minister Han Seung-soo to the late Prime Minister’s funeral scheduled for April 17.

3. Minister Yun relayed the President’s willingness to take the opportunity of the 130th anniversary of the ROK-UK diplomatic relations this year to strengthen bilateral ties. Secretary Hague conveyed the UK government’s hope to deepen cooperation with the ROK through summit and other high-level exchanges. He also noted with satisfaction that the coordination of the schedule of high-level exchanges is making tangible progress.

○ In this regard, the two sides hoped for the success of the Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013 to take place this October, and agreed to work more closely on cyber security, one of new challenges.

4. With regard to North Korea issues, Secretary Hague noted that the UK and the rest of the international community share a strong sense of unity with the ROK. Minister Yun noted with appreciation that the latest G-8 Joint Statement on North Korea was adopted at an appropriate time and goes in line with the ROK government’s North Korea policy. He went on to take note that the G-8 sends a clear and consistent message from the international community, and commended the leadership of the UK, the G-8 chair, in the lead-up to its adoption.

5. Minister Yun mentioned that he was able to confirm the united position of the international community on North Korea in a series of meetings with his counterparts from key countries, including the one with the US Secretary of State on April 12. He added that as North Korea can gain nothing through threats and provocations, it should respond sincerely to overtures for dialogue.

6. Secretary Hague conveyed the UK’s intolerance for North Korean threats and its steadfast commitment to support the ROK. He went to say that should North Korea conduct any further provocations, the UK, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, will work closely with the ROK.

7. Minister Yun explained the ROK government’s trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula and its intent to make efforts on bilateral and multilateral levels to address North Korea issues, including its nuclear development, based on strong deterrence and persistent persuasion. Secretary Hague commented that the ROK government’s North Korea policy is moving in the right direction and conveyed the UK government’s willingness to remain united with the international community in urging North Korea to change its attitude.

* unofficial translation