1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se held a telephone conversation with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson of the United Kingdom on March 30. They discussed the UK’s future policy direction on Brexit, and ways to enhance cooperation between the ROK and the UK.

o The latest telephone conversation, which came just one day after the UK formally notified the EU on March 29 of its intention to leave the EU, was arranged at the request of the UK side to explain the UK’s position and discuss ways to strengthen the ROK-UK relations.

2. The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation between the two countries regardless of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and continue cooperation on global issues, including free trade and security.

o Foreign Secretary Johnson said that the UK formally notified the EU of its intention to leave the EU on March 29, and that despite its exit from the EU, the UK will still remain a member of Europe and maintain special relationships with European countries.

o Minister Yun said that he is glad that he and Foreign Secretary Johnson have held close consultations on various occasions, including a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (September 2016), the ROK-UK Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue (February 2017), and the counter-ISIL international conference (March 2017). Minister Yun also expressed appreciation to Foreign Secretary Johnson for explaining the UK’s position himself immediately after the UK’s formal notice of its intention to leave the EU.

- As there are various mechanisms for cooperation between the two countries, including the Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue and the joint economic and trade committee, Minister Yun offered to continue to advance the cooperative relations between the two countries in a range of areas, utilizing the mechanisms.

o Secretary Johnson said that robust high-level engagements between the two countries show what the future of the ROK-UK relations will look like, and offered to hold consultations frequently to step up cooperation in various areas, including an ROK-UK FTA, increasing bilateral trade and investment, and global issues.

o Minister Yun took note that, in her speech on March 29, Prime Minister May sent a clear message about the direction of the withdrawal negotiations and the UK’s vision, and especially spoke highly of the Prime Minister’s expression of willingness to create a “Global Britain,” transforming the UK into a more outward-oriented free-trading nation.

3. Minister Yun hoped that the UK’s withdrawal negotiations with the EU will proceed in a way that benefits both the UK and the EU.

o Minister Yun said that the Foreign Ministry will continue to examine ways to respond to Brexit through its Brexit Task Force, led by the Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs, and that the Ministry will invite the UK Ambassador to the ROK soon to discuss the Brexit outlook and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

4. Minister Yun also said that the ROK is keeping a close watch on the possibility of North Korean provocations, including a nuclear test, and hoped to see continued close collaboration with the UK side on the North Korean nuclear issue.

o Secretary Johnson said that the UK has consistently supported the ROK’s North Korea policy, and reaffirmed that regardless of the UK’s exit from the EU, the UK will make its best efforts to work together with the ROK on the North Korean issue.

5. Minister Yun expressed appreciation for the UK’s efforts to ensure the safety of five Koreans injured in the recent terrorist attack in London, and asked for continued interest and support to help one Korean still in a UK hospital to return home safely after treatment. Secretary Johnson promised to pay attention to the matter and provide necessary support.


* unofficial translation