1. Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul had a meeting with Choi Jin-shik, Chairman of the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea (FOMEK), on Tuesday, March 12. It marked part of a series of meetings with business associations and the first with the mid-market enterprise community since the Foreign Minister’s inauguration to discuss ways for further strengthening public-private cooperation on economic diplomacy.

※ Foreign Minister Cho’s engagements with business associations included the new year event hosted by the innovative venture industry on Jan. 19, the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) on Jan. 22, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Jan. 24, the Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) on Jan. 30, and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) on Feb. 13.

2. Foreign Minister Cho emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will fully utilize its network of 167 overseas diplomatic missions as forward bases for exports and extend support to Korean businesses operating overseas. On that note, he requested middle market enterprises in need of local information and networks actively share their challenges and suggestions with missions so that the Ministry could reach out and render assistance to businesses in a timely and appropriate manner.

3. Foreign Minister Cho reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to pursue “diplomacy strengthening the interlinkage between economy and security” and expressed willingness to further engage with business associations to listen to voices from the field and reflect them in carrying out economic diplomacy action plans.