1. On June 30, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with Bill Burns, former US Deputy Secretary of State and incumbent President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace who is on a visit to the Republic of Korea as part of his East Asia tour. In the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the ROK-US relations, the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, and global issues.

2. Minister Yun extended appreciation to President Burns for his contributions during his service as US Deputy Secretary of State in 2011-2014 to advances in the ROK-US relations, commenting that continued advances in the bilateral ties, as demonstrated by such cases as the recent conclusion of the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, are attributable to bilateral efforts based on mutual trust and cooperation.

3. Minister Yun noted that with North Korea accelerating the sophistication of its nuclear and missile capability, it is imperative that the international community make efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, just as it has done so on the Iranian nuclear issue.

4. In addition, the Minister spoke about the ROK’s position on its relations with Japan and efforts to improve them, such as can be seen from the outcome of his visit to the country on June 21-22. In that regard, he underscored the need to make progress on pending bilateral issues, including that of sexual slavery victims drafted by Japan’s Imperial Army during World War II and the Japanese Prime Minister’s statement to be issued to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and thereby to improve the bilateral relations in a virtuous circle.

5. Minister Yun and President Burns also exchanged views on regional and global issues, including the Iranian nuclear program, the situation in Ukraine, issues concerning the South China Sea, climate change and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

◦ The Minister conveyed the ROK government’s willingness to cooperate proactively toward the establishment of a new climate regime, as demonstrated by its decision on June 30 to set its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) for 2030 at a higher-than-previously-expected level.

6. President Burns’ visit to the ROK, the first of its kind by a President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in 20 years, is expected to contribute to the ROK’s efforts to strengthen the foundation for its public diplomacy toward the US.


* unofficial translation