●Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013 Closes The closing ceremony of Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013 took place at COEX on October 18, officially marking the end of the two-day event. The Conference, which brought together high-level government officials from 87 countries and delegates from 18 regional and global organizations as well as 80 business leaders, had consisted of plenary sessions, panel discussions and bilateral meetings.
° The Seoul Conference was attended by 43 ministerial-, vice-ministerial- and higher-level officials, including 12 foreign ministers and 12 information and communications technology ministers, a number far greater than that of those who had attended the inaugural and the second rounds in London and Budapest, respectively.
The Seoul Conference served as an opportunity for the participating countries to share a minimal political view on cyberspace and reaffirm the importance of cyberspace as well as the need for cooperation among countries in that regard.
° Unlike its predecessors which had centered around European countries, the Seoul Conference was participated by a number of developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America as well as many private enterprises, thereby helping broaden the scope of discussions on cyberspace issues.
° The 2013 Conference consisted of plenary sessions and panel discussions on six agenda items, giving opportunities to various stakeholders, including ministerial- and vice-ministerial-level officials, delegates from international organization and civilian experts, to exchange and share views and to engage in in-depth discussions on the topics.
At the closing ceremony, Foreign Minister Yun Byug-se of the Republic of Korea stressed that the international community should share and put to maximum use positive effects of cyberspace by drawing upon the paradigm of creative economy, while making joint efforts to eliminate the negative ones, such as cyber crimes. In his capacity as the representative of the host country of the 2013 Conference, the Minister announced the outcome of the Conference in the Chair’s Summary.
* The appendices to the Chair’s Summary contain the “Seoul Frameworks and Commitments” for a more open and safer cyberspace as well as cases of best practices.
☞ Statement by the Conference Chair☞ Foreign Minister's Closing Remarks☞ Seoul Framework for and Commitment to Open and Secure Cyberspace ° The international community, by announcing the outcome of the Conference on various cyberspace issues in the form of the aforementioned appendices, expressed the shared view on the need to brace itself against new threats in cyberspace and affirmed the importance of cooperation and the need for relevant international norms.
At the Seoul Conference, the Netherlands was chosen as the host country of the next Conference. Given ongoing discussions on holding the Conference every two years instead of every year, the next Conference is expected to take place in 2015.
● Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013 Kicks Off with Some 1,600 People from 87 Countries in Attendance The opening ceremony of Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013 took place at COEX on the morning of October 17, marking the start of the two-day event.
The opening ceremony brought together some 1,600 people, including President Park Geun-hye and government delegates from 87 countries, -- Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se, and Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning Choi Mun-kee from the Republic of Korea, UK Foreign Secretary William Jefferson Hague and Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos Martonyi -- as well as delegates from international organizations, such as Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Hamadoun Toure.
° In her welcoming remarks, President Park called on the international community to create a sustainable cyberspace through trust and cooperation and use it as a foundation for pursuing creative economy.
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° In his opening address, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, placing top priority on the need for cooperation among nations in cyberspace, expressed his hope that the Seoul Conference will serve as a meaningful turning point for the formation of international norms in cyberspace by the international community in the spirit of unity.
☞ Foreign Minister's Opening Remarks ☞ Foreign Minister's Dinner Remarks
° UK Foreign Secretary Hague noted that despite differences among nations on key cyber issues, the international community should seek ways to build trust to jointly counter cyber threats and enjoy economic benefits.
° Hungarian Foreign Minister Mortonyi pointed out the need for international cooperation with various stakeholders in order to make cyberspace a safe space with infinite opportunities.
° In his video message, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon mentioned that the Seoul Conference carries great significance in that it takes place in the ROK, an information technology (IT) powerhouse, and will serve as an opportunity to seek a shared vision on cyberspace and direction for its development.
● Foreign Minister Holds Preliminary Consultations to Prepare President Park’s Visit to Europe Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with Deputy Secretary-General for the European External Action Service Maciej Popowski on October 16, who is visiting the ROK to attend the Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013. Foreign Minister Yun also met with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague on October 17 and discussed the ongoing preparations for summit diplomacy during President Park Geun-hye’s trip to Europe next month.
In his meeting with Deputy Secretary-General Popowski, Minister Yun said that with this year marking the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the ROK and the EU, he expects President Park’s visit to the EU to become a new milestone in bilateral relations.
o The two sides expected that the seventh ROK-EU Summit to be held during President Park’s upcoming trip will set the direction for bilateral cooperation for the next four to five years and present future visions. They decided to continue to work together so that a ROK-EU joint statement containing the aforementioned issues can be announced on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of establishment of the ROK-EU diplomatic relations.
o Furthermore, Minister Yun noted that the ROK and the EU have expanded their cooperation to the area of security mainly through a maritime capacity-building mission in the Horn of Africa to counter piracy off Somalia (EUCAP Nestor). Minister Yun offered to jointly respond to global threats as strategic partners which share the universal values of mankind, such as human rights and democracy.
In his meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, Minister Yun expressed his appreciation for Britain to invite President Park to pay a state visit on this meaningful occasion of the 130th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the ROK and the UK. Minister Yun said that this invitation reflects the importance of the relations between the two countries.
o In particular, during President Park’s state visit, a ground-breaking ceremony for a Korean War veterans memorial will take place. Minister Yun said that the UK dispatched the second largest forces to the ROK during the Korean War and he is pleased that the ROK’s efforts to build a Korean War veterans memorial in the country’s capital of London have finally borne fruit on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Minister Yun offered to closely cooperate for President Park’s state visit to serve as an opportunity for the two countries to take a leap forward in their relations.
o Minister Yun expressed his appreciation for Britain’s support for and confidence in the ROK government’s Trust-Building Process on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative. Minister Yun asked Britain to continue to play a leading role in global efforts to induce North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program and become a responsible member of the international community.
● Foreign Minister and his Counterparts from North European Countries Seek Ways to Strengthen Cooperation On October 16 and 17, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Finland and Sweden -- Erkki Tuomioja and Carl Bildt -- who are on a visit to the Republic of Korea to attend Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013. In the meetings, the two sides discussed a wide range of matters of mutual concern, including ways to promote economic and trade ties and cooperation in the Arctic, climate change and green growth as well as the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia and other regions.
In the ROK-Finland Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Minister Yun took note of vibrant high-level exchanges of late between the two countries. He particularly stressed that the ROK Prime Minister’s visit to Denmark and Finland set for next week reflects the ROK government’s keen interest in North Europe.
The ROK and the Finnish Foreign Ministers shared the view that countries across the world, both developing and developed, should take part in the negotiations on the new post-2020 climate change regime and produce a tangible outcome from them.
° Minister Yun noted that while such environmental issues as the melting of the Arctic Sea ice are emerging as a consequence of climate change, new opportunities for the development of Arctic resources and routes are opening up. He voiced his hope to learn from Finland’s experience and knowhow to use the Arctic, global commons, in a wise way.
In the ROK-Sweden Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Minister Yun commended Sweden for playing an active role in environment affairs and green growth, such as by leading the efforts to launch the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-lived Climate Pollutant (CCAC). In addition, he asked for Sweden’s interest and participation in the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), an international organization established under the ROK’s initiative.
° Minister Bildt expressed his hope that international discussions on climate change and sustainable growth will be productive. He added that such discussions should be accompanied by efforts to improve energy efficiency and develop green technology.
Minister Yun mentioned that he holds close telephone consultations with his counterparts from 40-odd countries on key bilateral and global issues. He proposed to Minister Bildt that they hold telephone consultations on matters of mutual concern whenever necessary.
Readily accepting Minister Yun’s proposal, Minister Bildt suggested that they discuss a variety of bilateral and multilateral issues, including creative economy, the Arctic and the situation in the Middle East, as necessary and invited Minister Yun to visit Sweden at an appropriate time.
● Foreign Minister Yun Holds Bilateral Meetings with Foreign Ministers of Countries in Southeast/Southwest Asia and Oceania Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se held a series of bilateral meetings on October 17-18 with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Gamini Lakshiman Peiris, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, who are visiting the ROK to attend the Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013.
o In the meetings, Minister Yun held intensive discussions on how to enhance cooperation to continue the progress made during the latest summits (ROK-Indonesia, ROK-Australia) and high-level mutual visits. Minister Yun also confirmed the countries’ firm support for the ROK’s North Korea policy and actively pursued sales diplomacy to support the ROK companies’ entry into the countries.
In the ROK-Indonesia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the two Ministers noted the achievement made during President Park’s recent successful visit to Indonesia and shared the view that the two countries need to closely cooperate to devise an action plan as a follow-up measure to continue such progress. The two sides agreed to continue to consult on the schedule for Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yodhoyono’s visit to the ROK.
o Minister Yun explained issues in inter-Korean relations, including the reunions of separated families and the resumption of the Six-party Talks. Minister Marty expressed his support for the ROK government’s Trust-Building Process on the Korean Peninsula.
o Furthermore, the two Ministers reaffirmed that the two countries are important partners in middle-power diplomacy and agreed to closely cooperate on the regional and global stages, including ASEAN, the EAS and APEC, to address regional and global issues. Minister Yun expressed his appreciation for Indonesia’s support for the ROK’s plan to create the ROK-ASEAN security dialogue. Minister Marty welcomed the ROK’s plan to send a senior official to the Bali Democracy Forum.
In the ROK-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the two Ministers shared the view that North Korea’s nuclear weapons development and belligerent and provocative acts pose serious threats to the international community. Minister Bishop expressed active support for the ROK’s North Korea policy and hoped to see close coordination among countries concerned.
o The two Ministers shared the view that new momentum for concluding the ROK-Australia FTA is being created and agreed to work together to proceed with FTA negotiations in a practical and creative manner.
o Minister Yun requested the Australian government’s special attention to facilitate the ROK companies’ participation in large-scale resource development projects in Australia. Minister Bishop said that the federal government will actively consult with the state governments.
o The two Ministers decided to make joint efforts towards the future-oriented development of the MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey, Australia) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which the ROK has actively pushed forward as part of middle-power diplomacy. They also agreed to closely cooperate in the international stage including the G20.
In the ROK-Sri Lanka Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Minister Yun noted that the two countries have upgraded bilateral ties to a higher level by facilitating high-level exchanges, including Prime Minister Chung Hong-won’s official visit to Sri Lanka in August. The two Ministers agreed to work together to expand and deepen the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries in a wide range of areas.
o In addition, Minister Yun said that with the stabilized situation and improved investment conditions in Sri Lanka, the ROK companies are actively seeking to do business in the country. Minister Yun asked the Sri Lankan government to show special interest and support so that the ROK companies can participate in various projects in the country, including refinery expansion projects, thermal power station construction projects and highway construction projects.
o Minister Peiris said that the ROK companies are trustworthy partners for economic cooperation and the Sri Lankan government actively welcomes their entry into the country. The Minister also expressed deep appreciation for the ROK government’s support through development assistance and hoped to strengthen cooperation in development and employment.
In the ROK-Bangladesh Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the two Ministers decided to continue the momentum of friendship and cooperation, created on the occasions of the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations and high-level mutual visits.
o Minister Yun asked the Bangladeshi government to show special attention and support so that the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ), a representative project in private investment cooperation between the two countries, can become a highly successful model of economic cooperation.
o Minister Yun expressed the ROK government’s willingness to support the economic and social development of Bangladesh, the ROK’s important partner in development cooperation. Minister Moni extended deep appreciation for the ROK government’s continued support and cooperation and hoped that the two countries will enhance cooperation in a range of areas as reliable economic partners.
●Foreign Minister Yun Meets with His Hungarian Counterpart on the Sidelines of the Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013 Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his Hungarian counterpart Janos Martonyi on October 18 on the sidelines of the Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013 and held extensive discussions on bilateral issues, including high-level exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, cultural and artistic exchanges and people-to-people exchanges, as well as the situations in the Korean Peninsula and the region.
o After the meeting, the two Ministers signed an agreement on nuclear cooperation between the ROK and Hungary. The agreement will establish legal and institutional foundations for the ROK to enter Hungary’s nuclear power plant market. The agreement is also expected to further facilitate bilateral cooperation in nuclear energy-related areas, including nuclear safety, joint research in advanced technology, and information and people-to-people exchanges.
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