Minister Kang Kyung-wha Holds Series of Talks with Lithuanian, Finnish, and Norwegian Foreign Ministers... "Discussing Trade and Investment Cooperation Measures"

Request to Attend June P4G Summit
Participation in MSC Main Session... Korea-US-Japan and Korea-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meetings Held

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is having a conversation with David Stilwell, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Keith Krach, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 6th. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held consecutive bilateral talks with foreign ministers from Canada, Norway, Finland, and Lithuania on the 14th (local time) in Munich, Germany, where she visited to attend the Munich Security Conference (MSC), discussing cooperation measures.

Minister Kang's first official schedule at the Munich Security Conference was a bilateral meeting with Fran?ois-Philippe Champagne, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, followed by consecutive bilateral talks with Linas Linkevi?ius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs; Pekka Haavisto, Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Ine Eriksen Søreide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

With Linas Linkevi?ius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, they expressed satisfaction with the active high-level exchanges between the two countries and the steadily increasing volume of trade and investment. They also discussed ways to enhance practical cooperation in areas such as cybersecurity, life sciences and IT, defense, and defense industry. The two ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation in life sciences and IT, fields where Lithuania has strengths, as well as collaboration on international platforms such as the United Nations. A Foreign Ministry official stated, "Minister Linkevi?ius requested our interest in the 'Baltic Biotechnology Conference' to be held in Lithuania in the second half of this year and explained Lithuania's efforts for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine issue."

With Pekka Haavisto, Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, they evaluated that bilateral cooperation in innovation and startups has deepened through the smooth implementation of follow-up measures since President Moon Jae-in's state visit to Finland in June last year. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in responding to international issues such as climate change and participation in international organizations.

In particular, the two ministers welcomed the expansion of practical cooperation between the two countries, including the launch of Finnair's direct flight between Busan and Helsinki from the end of March this year, and the planned establishment of the 'Korea Startup Center' in Helsinki during the first half of the year, as important achievements of last year's state visit.

A Foreign Ministry official explained, "Minister Kang introduced that Korea is scheduled to host the 'P4G Summit for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030' in June and requested Finland's participation," adding, "She said that Korea and Finland, a leading country in green growth, climate change, and Arctic cooperation, will closely cooperate in addressing global environmental issues."

With Ine Eriksen Søreide, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, they assessed that last year President Moon Jae-in's state visit to Norway, the first by a Korean president, provided an opportunity to deepen the traditional friendly relations between the two countries. They agreed to review the implementation of follow-up measures from the Korea-Norway summit and to strengthen practical cooperation in various fields such as defense industry and the Arctic.

In particular, Minister Kang requested Norway's interest and participation in the 2nd P4G Summit scheduled to be held in Korea in June this year, emphasizing Norway's role as a founding member of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and a green growth champion. She urged close cooperation between the two countries in addressing global issues such as climate and sustainable development.

A Foreign Ministry official said, "Minister Kang shared assessments of the situation on the Korean Peninsula with the foreign ministers and expressed hope for close cooperation to achieve lasting peace on the Peninsula," adding, "The foreign ministers reaffirmed their solidarity and support for our government's efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Meanwhile, Minister Kang is also scheduled to participate in a panel discussion on multilateralism in the changing international order and to hold consecutive foreign minister meetings with the United States and Japan, as well as with Japan alone.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.