1. Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan, who attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, met with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on July 12 to exchange views on bilateral relations and the situation in the region, including on the Korean Peninsula.

2. The two sides took note of the smooth progress of the ROK-China FTA negotiations and the increased exchanges between high-level officials of the two countries. Vice Premier of the State Council Wang Qishan had recently visited Yeosu Expo 2012 and Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu had travelled to Korea on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the ROK and China this year. They concurred that such exchanges demonstrate the continuous development of the ROK-China strategic cooperative partnership.

3. The ROK explained its position on the signing of the ROK-Japan Agreement on the Protection of Classified Information, and expressed hope for strengthening cooperation with China in security and defense, including the signing of an agreement on information protection.

4. The two sides exchanged views on the North Korean situation and the North Korean nuclear issue, and agreed to continue cooperation to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

5. They also discussed regional situation, including the South China Sea issue, and the ROK hoped that the issue will be resolved in a way that contributes to regional peace and stability. 


                         Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation