Korean and English Foreign Ministers "Support Cooperation in Nuclear Power, Digital, and Health"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunju Lee] Foreign Minister Park Jin held the 7th Korea-UK Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue on the 28th with James Cleverly, the UK Foreign Secretary, who visited Korea. The two ministers agreed to support cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as nuclear power, digital technology, and healthcare.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the event, the two ministers discussed cooperation measures for implementing the "Bilateral Framework for Closer Cooperation," adopted during the Korea-UK summit in June, in celebration of the 140th anniversary of exchanges starting next year.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation through various consultative bodies not only in the shared interest areas of nuclear power, digital technology, and healthcare but also in development, cyber, and supply chain sectors. They also evaluated that defense cooperation is accelerating, noting that the Korea-UK defense strategic dialogue was elevated to the vice-ministerial level in July and a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the space sector was signed.

Both parties noted that since Brexit (the UK's withdrawal from the EU), the Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which came into effect last year, has led to a stable increase in bilateral trade volume, and agreed to expand cooperation in areas such as digital technology and supply chains through FTA improvement negotiations.

Minister Park also requested the active cooperation of the UK, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to ensure a firm and unified international response, including the adoption of new UN Security Council resolutions, should North Korea commit a serious provocation in the future. The two sides adopted a joint statement reflecting the results of this strategic dialogue and agreed to hold the 8th Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue in London, UK, next year.

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