Park Jin Meets UNHCR Chief, Pledges "Expanded Support from Korean Government" (Comprehensive)

UNHCR Signs Basic Cooperation Agreement
Grandi: "Desperate for Partners Like Han"

Foreign Minister Park Jin is taking a commemorative photo with Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, after signing the Basic Cooperation Agreement at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] On the morning of the 10th, Foreign Minister Park Jin held a signing ceremony for the Basic Cooperation Agreement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul and stated, "The Korean government will expand its support for UNHCR."

During the signing ceremony, Minister Park met with Filippo Grandi, the UNHCR High Commissioner, and said, "In the midst of a worsening global refugee crisis, the role of UNHCR is extremely important. I am pleased that today's signing of the Basic Cooperation Agreement has laid the foundation for close cooperation between the Korean government and UNHCR."

Minister Park highly praised UNHCR for demonstrating leadership and actively responding to the international refugee crisis amid the continuous increase in the number of forcibly displaced persons worldwide due to recent events such as the Ukraine situation and climate change. He also mentioned that through UNHCR, Korea has delivered relief supplies to internally displaced persons and refugees in Ukraine.

He emphasized that Korea has maintained its status as a member of the "UNHCR $20 million Donor Club" since 2016 and that the scale of private sector fundraising for UNHCR in Korea ranks fourth in the world.

Commissioner Grandi stated, "Today, there are 103 million refugees and forcibly displaced persons worldwide, the highest number since World War II," and stressed, "As we face global challenges caused by forced displacement, climate change, and the pandemic, partners like Korea are urgently needed to find solutions."

He continued, "The relationship with Korea has strengthened over the past few years, and I have witnessed the relationship deepen in a substantive way over the past seven years," and also requested the Korean government's interest and participation in the 2nd Global Refugee Forum to be held next year.

Commissioner Grandi took office as the UNHCR High Commissioner in January 2016, and his five-year term was extended once, leading UNHCR until December 2025. He visited Korea for the first time in four years on a three-day schedule starting from the 9th, and during his visit, he is scheduled to meet with Minister Park, Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, and hold a meeting with leaders of seven major religions.

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