1. The governments of the Republic of Korea and Peru held their fifth High-level Policy Consultation in Seoul on June 13, with First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yong and his Peruvian counterpart Fernando Rojas leading their respective delegations.

2. The two Vice Ministers took note of the rapid advances in the ROK-Peru cooperation in recent years driven by the willingness for bilateral cooperation affirmed by the leaders of the two countries at their annual summit talks over the past six years.

° The two sides affirmed that the entry of the ROK-Peru FTA into force in August 2011 and the establishment of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership in May 2012 laid the groundwork for an increase in substantive cooperation in various sectors, including politics, economy, trade, education, science, technology, culture and tourism, and thereby contributed greatly to the advancement of bilateral ties

3. Noting the recent increase in bilateral trade and investment, Vice Minister Cho asked the Peruvian government to take interest in and support Korean companies' bids to participate in the Peruvian government's key projects for national development in such sectors as energy, resources, infrastructure and defense industry.

4. In response, Vice Minister Rojas, citing the launch of the ROK-Peru joint production of the KT-1 basic training aircraft for the Air Force pilots in Peru in May under the bilateral aircraft purchase contract concluded in November 2012, hailed the transfer of the ROK's relevant technology to Peru for the development of the latter country's aerospace industry. He voiced his hope that the ROK will support Peru's efforts to build an industrial complex and cultivate information technology industry by transferring its relevant technology.

° The Vice Minister also asked the ROK government to help increase and diversify imports from Peru to include agricultural and fisheries products.

5. The two Vice Ministers agreed to share the ROK's development strategies and experiences through various educational and scholarship programs for Peruvian public officials and students in the ROK. They also agreed to work together to help their nationals seek employment at the UN and other international organizations.

6. Vice Minister Cho explained in detail the situation on the Korea Peninsula and the ROK government's position on ways to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. Minister Rojas responded by expressing support and hope for a peaceful resolution of the issue.

* In response to the two rounds of long-range missile launches by North Korea in April and December 2012, respectively, and its third nuclear test in February 2013, the Peruvian government issued Foreign Ministry statements strongly condemning the provocations by North Korea and expressing deep concerns.

7. The fifth ROK-Peru High-level Policy Consultation is seen to have served as an opportunity for the two countries to review the progress in their cooperation and discuss ways to work together toward shared prosperity, thereby paving the way for a stronger strategic partnership. 


                Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation