Press Briefing

Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Affairs Soosuk Lim

May 28, 2024  14:30  KST

Good afternoon. Let me start today’s briefing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul will attend and deliver welcoming remarks at the international forum on North Korean human rights hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 30.

This forum will be held in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the release of the report by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Human Rights in North Korea, a significant milestone in North Korean human rights issues.

The forum will serve as an opportunity for Korean and foreign governments, international organizations, civil society and academia to reflect on the past and present of the North Korean human rights issue as well as to explore strategies for promoting North Korean human rights.

In his welcoming remarks, Foreign Minister Cho will note with appreciation the role of the COI report and highlight the Korean government’s commitment and efforts to improve the human rights situation in North Korea, including momentous issues regarding abductees, detainees and unrepatriated prisoners of war.

Moving on, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, together with Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, will hold the first Korea-Viet Nam Foreign Ministers’ dialogue on May 31.

During the upcoming dialogue, the two countries will discuss ways to step up cooperation across the board including foreign affairs and security; trade and investment; energy, resources and supply chains; climate change and environment; and development, as well as on regional and global stages.

Foreign Minister Son’s visit to Korea marks his first bilateral official one since his taking office. On the heels of the dialogue, the two Foreign Ministers will have an official luncheon followed by a walk in Gyeongbokgung Palace in an engagement of friendship.

(A question-and-answer session followed.)