1. On April 4, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with President Silvia Fernández of the International Criminal Court, who was on a visit to the Republic of Korea for the ICC’s regional high-level seminar. The two sides discussed such matters of concern as the human rights issue in North Korea and ways that the ROK government and the ICC can work together.

2. Minister Yun, bringing attention to the ROK government’s priority on the realization of international criminal justice and maintenance of international peace through the rule of law, noted that the country intends to remain in close cooperation with the ICC in this regard.

° He stated that the ROK, which had played a leading role in the founding of the ICC, has continuously taken part and cooperated in the ICC’s activities, as can be seen from the service in the organization by the Korean judges Song Sang-hyun and Chung Chang-ho as its former President and its judge, respectively, with Kwon O-gon seeking to become the next President of the Assembly of States Parties. He added that going forward, the ROK will seek closer cooperation with the ICC.

° The Minister expressed pleasure over the ICC holding in the ROK its first high-level seminar in the Asia-Pacific region, adding that the seminar will serve as an opportunity for the ICC to see its universality increased in the Asia-Pacific region.

° President Fernández extended appreciation to the ROK for rendering assistance to the ICC as one of its main member states with the organization’s activities in various areas starting from the time of its founding. She voiced hope that the two sides will continue to step up cooperation and that that, in turn, will help further expand the ICC’s role.

3. Minister Yun brought renewed attention of the ICC to the human rights issue in North Korea, citing the growing call of the international community, including the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, over the years to ensure accountability for the human rights situation in North Korea, such as by referring it to the ICC.

4. The meeting between the Foreign Minister and the ICC President is seen to have served as an opportunity to enhance the ROK’s standing in the ICC as one of its main member states and to convey the ROK government’s commitment to the rule of law.


* unofficial translation