South Korea and China to Hold Economic Joint Committee Next Week... Discussing Energy Supply Chains Amid Middle East Situation

South Korea and China are scheduled to jointly hold the 29th Economic Joint Committee on April 20. The committee is expected to discuss energy supply chains and economic cooperation measures amid the supply chain crisis caused by the situation in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

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Park Il, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held a briefing at the Government Complex Seoul on April 16, stating, "Vice Minister Kim Jin-a of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to hold the 29th Korea-China Economic Joint Committee with Yan Dong, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Commerce, in Beijing on April 20." He added, "It is expected that cooperation measures will be discussed in the context of the Middle East situation and energy supply chain issues."

Spokesperson Park explained, "In the midst of the complex global crisis caused by the situation in the Middle East, we plan to discuss ways for the two countries to expand trade and investment, create a stable and predictable competitive environment for businesses, and cooperate to overcome the crisis." He continued, "At this committee, both sides will discuss a wide range of cooperation measures, including revitalizing trade and investment, managing stable supply chains, and deepening regional multilateral cooperation."

The Korea-China Economic Joint Committee is a comprehensive economic cooperation dialogue channel that has been held since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992. It serves as a high-level regular consultative channel for the two countries to review key cooperation issues in economic fields and exchange views on directions for future cooperation and development.

Additionally, the two countries are working to arrange a visit to South Korea by Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Spokesperson Park said, "We are continuing to communicate with the Chinese side regarding Minister Wang Yi's visit to Korea."

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jung Yeondu, Director General of the Foreign Strategy and Information Center, will attend the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum to be held in Antalya, T?rkiye, from April 17 to 19. Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of T?rkiye, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum is a high-level international diplomatic and security forum attended by leaders, academia, and business circles.

Regarding this, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Through in-depth discussions on major issues such as the situation in the Middle East, this will be an opportunity to forecast future international developments and seek momentum for change." The official added, "Since many high-level officials will attend, Director General Jung will likely have opportunities for bilateral pull-asides (informal side meetings and full asides) as well."

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