1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha spoke by phone with her Dutch counterpart Bert Koenders on September 11, and assessed the situation regarding North Korea’s sixth nuclear test and discussed ways to respond to it.

2. Minister Kang said that she considers her first phone conversation with Minister Koenders to be meaningful, and strongly condemned North Korea’s sixth nuclear test, saying that it is not only an unacceptable provocation, but a very serious act that increases tensions. She also said that in accordance with the EU’s policy of critical engagement, the Netherlands keeps the door open for dialogue, while joining strong sanctions, and such stance of the Netherlands is in line with the ROK government’s position.

o Minister Kang hoped that ahead of a vote on a new Security Council resolution, the Netherlands, which will serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council next year, will actively participate in the international community’s efforts to solve the North Korean nuclear problem in a peaceful manner.

3. Minister Koenders stressed his country’s firm support for the ROK government’s North Korea policy, and said that the Netherlands will not only work together at the UN Security Council, but continue efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, including sanctions and pressure on the North, as made clear at the recent EU foreign ministers’ meeting.

4. In addition, Minister Kang looked forward to the visit to the ROK by King Willem-Alexander and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands for the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. Minister Koenders wished the ROK a successful hosting of the PyeongChang Olympics.


* unofficial translation