1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha spoke by phone with her German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel on August 14, and shared their concern over the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula in the wake of North Korea’s repeated provocations in recent months. They also agreed that it is important to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula by deterring North Korea’s additional provocation.

o The two Ministers shared the view that to do so, it is important to continue to strengthen international cooperation to induce North Korea to take the path towards denuclearization, including through the faithful implementation of the new UN Security Council Resolution 2371 and other relevant resolutions. They agreed to pursue close cooperation between the ROK and Germany in the process.

2. In addition, Minister Kang explained in detail the ROK government’s North Korea policy, including the Berlin Initiative and the proposal to North Korea made on July 17, containing concrete measures to implement the Initiative. She also asked Germany and the EU to continue to play a constructive role in inducing North Korea to respond as early as possible to the ROK government’s efforts to establish peace on the Korea Peninsula and resume inter-Korean dialogue.

3. As the leaders of the two countries agreed in their summit meeting on July 5, the two Ministers agreed to hold the ROK-Germany Foreign Ministers’ strategic dialogue as soon as possible, and continue to expand communications and cooperation between the two countries through various channels.


* unofficial translation