1. Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Ham Sang-wook, together with Additional Secretary (International Organizations) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Vinay Kumar, virtually held the 1^st “Korea-India high-level policy consultation on global issues” at 3:30 pm, January 7, Korea Standard Time.

2. In the consultation, the two sides extensively discussed global issues of mutual interest, including India’s plan as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2021-2022 term; key agendas of the UN Security Council including the Korean Peninsula issue; preparations for the 2021 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial to be held in Korea in December 2021; and recent challenges to multilateralism and future prospects.

° The Korean side asked for continued attention and support of India, a new non-permanent member of the Security Council, regarding the Korean Peninsula peace process. The Indian side, commending the Korean government’s efforts to date, suggested continuing close communication and cooperation between the two countries at the UN, among others.

° The Korean side also pointed out that about 600 Korean troops and police officers have been dispatched to five UN peacekeeping operation (PKO) missions and that Korea is the world’s 10^th largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget. The Korean side went on to ask India, a significant contributor in the area of peacekeeping, to participate and cooperate actively for the success of the “2021 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial” to be hosted by Korea in early December 2021.

° Meanwhile, the Indian side explained that, as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2021-2022 term, India will carry out activities with a focus on counter-terrorism, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and maritime security.

° The two sides agreed to hold the high-level policy consultation on global issues on a regular basis following its 1^st meeting.

3. The 1st consultation is seen to have served as an opportunity to reinforce the foundation for multilateral cooperation by establishing a separate consultative channel on multilateral issues with India, a new non-permanent member of the Security Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to hold bilateral consultations with members of the Security Council as part of its effort to prepare for Korea’s bid for non-permanent membership of the Security Council for the 2024-2025 term.