Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Republic of Korea Yu Myung-hwan met with New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas, including political affairs, economy, trade, culture and people-to-people exchange. Both Ministers also exchanged views on regional security issues, such as North Korea’s nuclear issue, political situation in the Korean Peninsula and the South Pacific region.

Expressing satisfaction with the steady increase in trade between Korea and New Zealand and two ministers expected the Korea-New Zealand FTA to develop closer economic and trade relations between the two countries. They also pledged to strengthen substantive cooperation in the fields of energy, resources, communication, science technology, movies and culture.

Minister Yu appreciated the role of New Zealand in resolving North Korea’s nuclear
issue and establishing peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. In regard this, Minister McCully expressed active support for Korea’s position on peaceful resolution of North Korea’s nuclear issue and inter-Korean relations.

The two Ministers agreed to work closely together at regional organizations, such as the EAS, ARF and APEC, as well as international organizations, such as the United Nations based on a common view on many regional and global issues.