1. On the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting (April 3-4, Brussels) Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul held bilateral meetings with Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský and Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Hanke Bruins Slot on Thursday, April 4, 2024, to discuss bilateral relations, cooperation on the international stage, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and regional affairs.

2. During the meeting with Minister Lipavský, Minister Cho expressed his hope that the two countries, sharing universal values, will continue to strengthen high-level exchanges and mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and investment. In particular, he requested Minister Lipavský's support for the participation of Korean companies with global competitiveness in the construction of the new nuclear power plant in Dukovany, Czech Republic, for which a bidding process is underway. Minister Lipavský said that he was well aware of the high technological capability and competitiveness of Korean nuclear power plants, and assured that the final decision would be made through a fair and transparent process. He further expressed his hope that the two countries, as strategic partners, would expand their cooperation into fields such as SMRs and batteries.

3. During the meeting with Minister Bruins Slot, the two ministers agreed that bilateral relations have been elevated to a higher level since President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to the Netherlands last December, and decided to follow up on the semiconductor alliance, as well as the progress of bilateral consultations in the areas of economic security, cybersecurity, and defense, as agreed upon during the state visit. In particular, the two ministers agreed to work closely together to ensure the successful organization of the second Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit, which the two countries will co-host in Seoul this year.

4. Minister Cho explained to Minister Lipavský and Minister Bruins Slot that North Korea's threatening rhetoric and provocations of late, as well as its illegal military cooperation with Russia, pose a threat to peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also in Europe and around the world, while urging continued close cooperation to send strong messages to Pyongyang and to put an end to military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. Minister Cho also expressed his regret over Russia's recent veto of the UN resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Panel of Experts under the North Korea Sanctions Committee, and emphasized the need for closer cooperation with the international community, including the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, in implementing sanctions. Minister Lipavský and Minister Bruins Slot affirmed their continued support for the Korean government's policy and efforts for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.  

5. Minister Lipavský and Minister Bruins Slot also welcomed Minister Cho's participation in the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting and called for continued support and solidarity for restoring peace in Ukraine through close cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, including NATO-IP4 cooperation.