1. The 13th meeting of the ROK-New Zealand joint economic committee took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand on December 8. The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Yun Kang-hyeon and Deputy Secretary of the Americas and Asia Group Ben King.

2. The two sides reviewed the progress in cooperation between the two countries in a range of areas, including trade and investment, agriculture and fisheries, science and technology, Antarctic affairs, education, film, and promoting the growth of SMEs and startups, and discussed how to increase cooperation between the two sides.

o They also exchanged views and discussed ways to work together on global issues, including cooperation at the WTO, APEC and other international forums, climate change, and the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs).

3. The two sides took note that since the ROK-New Zealand FTA entered into force in December 2015, the two countries have been maintaining mutually-beneficial and balanced trade relations, and agreed to continue to work to further expand trade between the two countries.

o They also reaffirmed the two countries’ shared position of pursuing an open economy and free trade amid continuing uncertainty in the global economy.

4. Regarding fisheries cooperation, the ROK side noted that the memorandum of understanding on the mutual recognition of marine officer licenses, concluded in May 2016, enabled Korean fishing companies to operate in a stable manner in New Zealand’s waters. The ROK side asked for New Zealand’s continued interest and support.

5. The two sides also discussed how to strengthen cooperation on Antarctic affairs between the two countries, including research in the Antarctic and cooperation in supporting operations between the ROK’s Korea Polar Research Institute and the Antarctica New Zealand.


* unofficial translation