Foreign Minister’s Visit to China

Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan made a three-day visit to China beginning March 17. During his visit, he met his counterpart Yang Jiechi on March 18 to exchange views on matters of common interest, including ways to deepen the Korea-China strategic partnership, the North Korean nuclear issue and the current situation of Northeast Asia in general. In the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers discussed ways to further develop the Korea-China strategic partnership in a substantial manner; expressed their willingness to render support for major international events to be held in each country; and agreed to expand exchange between high-level officials of the two countries, including exchange of visits by their leaders. The day before, he had visited Shanghai to tour the venue of the upcoming World Expo. The two Ministers reaffirmed their mutual support for the “2010 Visit China Year,” in which the World Expo will take place in Shanghai, and the “2012 Visit Korea Year,” when Korea is set to host the World Expo in Yeosu. Following an assessment of the current situation concerning the North Korean nuclear issue, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on future measures. Furthermore, they agreed to make joint efforts for an early resumption of the Six-party Talks. Later in the day, Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan paid a courtesy call on Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao following a meeting with Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu. Foreign Minister Yu and Prime Minister Wen exchanged views on inter-Korean relations and the North Korean nuclear issue in which Minister Yu appreciated China’s diplomatic efforts. During the meeting with Public Security Minister Meng, the two sides concurred that the need for cooperation in consular, immigration and legal areas, and anti-terrorism is growing in line with an increase in people-to-people exchange between the two countries.   Foreign Minister Yu returned to Korea on March 19.