1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se made an official visit to Iran on November 7, and had a meeting and luncheon with his Iranian counterpart Zarif. The two Ministers exchanged views on the progress in the implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement, and its implications for the North Korean nuclear issue; the ROK-Iran relations; and issues in the Middle East and the situation in Northeast Asia.

2. Amid growing signs of an improvement in relations between the international community and Iran following the recent Iran nuclear agreement (July 14), the two Ministers shared the view that the ROK and Iran are at an important turning point in enhancing cooperation between the two countries. In particular, President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif both predicted that the international community’s sanctions against Iran will be lifted soon, and expressed hope that Korean companies’ full-scale entry into Iran will begin. The two Foreign Ministers also agreed to expand bilateral cooperation not only in such traditional areas as energy and infrastructure, but also in other various sectors, including healthcare, culture, tourism, development cooperation and academic exchanges.

o To that end, the two Ministers agreed to take various measures, including expanding high-level exchanges, facilitating intergovernmental regular consultative mechanisms, arranging visits by economic delegations, and strengthening cultural exchanges.

3. Minister Yun said that the Iran nuclear agreement reached between the P5+1 and Iran became an important milestone in strengthening the global non-proliferation regime, and noted with appreciation the smooth implementation of the Iran nuclear agreement. Minister Yun also said that though the Iranian nuclear issue and the North Korean nuclear issue are different in many aspects, the Iran nuclear agreement has significance in that it was reached through continued dialogues and negotiations, and expressed hope that the Iran nuclear agreement will also have a positive impact on efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. Minister Yun hoped that North Korea will also learn lessons from the case of Iran, which has restored the international community’s trust by reaching the Iran nuclear agreement.

o Minister Zarif said that Iran has repeatedly expressed its position on the North Korean nuclear issue, and that nuclear weapons can never enhance security. Minister Zarif added that the Iran nuclear agreement is a good example showing that any sensitive issue can be resolved peacefully through diplomacy.

4. Minister Yun and Minister Zarif shared the view that the Middle East is facing a complex and multi-level crisis. Minister Yun hoped that Iran will play a constructive role in addressing the challenges facing the Middle East, including the Syrian crisis and refugee issue; instability in countries in transition, such as Iraq, Libya, and Yemen; and response to violent extremism, including ISIL.

5. Minister Yun explained the ROK government’s efforts to ease tensions and promote peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia, especially the significance of the ROK-Japan-China trilateral summit, held recently at the initiative of the ROK, as well as the ROK-Japan summit.

o Minister Zarif said that as the Middle East and Northeast Asia both have tough security environments, there is great potential for cooperation in politics and security between the ROK and Iran, which are strategically important countries in their respective regions.

6. Minister Yun also paid a courtesy call on President of Iran Hassan Rouhani. Minister Yun also had a meeting with representatives from Korean companies and Korean communities in Iran, and listened to difficulties faced by Koreans in Iran.

7. The Iranian side said that Minister Yun’s visit to Iran served as an opportunity to open a new chapter in the ROK-Iran relations, and expressed hope that this visit will help further facilitate high-level exchanges between the two countries. This visit to Iran became an opportunity to confirm the Iranian side’s high expectations for development of the bilateral relations following the Iran nuclear agreement.

o Minister Yun invited Minister Zarif to visit the ROK at an appropriate time next year.


*unofficial translation