1. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, who is on a visit to Belgium to attend the EU Foreign Affairs Council (March 19), met with her Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom on March 18, local time, and engaged in in-depth discussions on the recent changes in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and ways to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully.

o The two Ministers shared the view that the recent rapid progress in the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including the decision to hold inter-Korean and US-North Korea summits, will become an important turning point in efforts to fundamentally resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, and to establish a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. They also agreed to continue to closely communicate and cooperate to do so, as the next few months will be a very important time.

2. Minister Kang shared the results of consultations between the ROK and the US on the situation on the Korean Peninsula held during her visit to the US last week, and took note of the efforts of Sweden, which has been playing a unique role in North Korea’s foreign relations, including acting as protecting power for major Western countries that provides consular services. Minister Kang also offered to further strengthen cooperation between the ROK and Sweden on North Korea and its nuclear issue.

3. Minister Wallstrom fully agreed with her, and explained the results of North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho’s visit to Sweden last week. She also said that Sweden, a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (2017-18), will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

4. The two Ministers, who have built strong trust and friendship through meetings on a number of occasions and various contacts, agreed to continue to frequently communicate more closely and coordinate their responses.

* unofficial translation