1.      Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ban Ki-moon, will be paying official visits to Thailand (August 24-
25), New Zealand (August 26-28), and Australia (August 28-31).

2.      Minister Ban will be paying courtesy calls to Prime Ministers Helen Clark of New Zealand and John 
Howard of Australia. He will also hold Foreign Ministers’ Talks with Minister Sathiratahai Surakiart of 
Thailand, Minister Phil Goff of New Zealand, and Minister Alexander Downer of Australia, respectively, to 
exchange views on the political situation surrounding the Korean peninsula and the region, including the 
North Korean nuclear issue, and discuss measures to strengthen practical cooperation in the areas of 
economy and trade as well as in international fora.

3.      This is the first visit by a Korean Foreign Minister to Australia and New Zealand in 27 years since 1977, 
and the visit is expected to further consolidate the friendly and cooperative relations that have consistently 
developed since the Korean War. Minister Ban will be signing the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of 
Culture and Education with Thailand and the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Energy and Mineral 
Resources with Australia, and the conclusion of these agreements is expected to further strengthen 
cooperation in the relevant areas.

4.      In addition, Minister Ban will deliver speeches at the National Press Club of Australia, the New Zealand 
Chamber of Commerce, and at the Korea-New Zealand Business Council luncheon to promote the Korean 
government’s efforts for peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula and the peaceful settlement of the 
North Korean nuclear issue through such means as the Six-Party Talks, and explain policies for attracting 
more investment to Korea. Minister Ban will also meet with representatives of the Korean societies and 
businesses to introduce the recent policies of the Korean government.

                                                                       Spokesperson of MOFAT

* unofficial translation