1. On the sidelines of the eighth MIKTA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met bilaterally with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop of Australia on November 25. In their meeting, the two top diplomats discussed in depth ways for the Republic of Korea and Australia to coordinate on North Korean issues; the bilateral political and economic ties; and ways to step up cooperation on regional and global stages.

2. The two Ministers noted with appreciation that tough sanctions are being enforced and strong pressure is being placed on North Korea; called North Korea’s repeated provocations, including nuclear tests and missile launches, a direct threat to not only the Korean Peninsula but also Australia; and agreed to step up coordination to seek responses to such direct threats from the North.

° The two sides, noting that the new US administration to be launched in early 2017 is expected to place a priority on addressing the North Korean nuclear issue, agreed to work closely with each other in tackling not only the nuclear but also human rights issue of North Korea.

3. The two Ministers shared the view that since the entry into force of the ROK-Australia FTA in December 2014, the two countries have been seeing their relations enhanced through closer economic cooperation and increased exchanges under the working holiday program and the New Colombo Plan. They agreed to take the bilateral ties a notch higher through regular consultations at various levels, including the foreign and defense ministerial (2+2) meeting to take place in Seoul in 2017.

° Minister Yun, taking note of positive effects of the bilateral FTA even amid the global economic downturn, proposed that the two countries work together in defense industry and various other areas with great potential for cooperation.

4. The two Ministers noted with appreciation that APEC, which the ROK and Australia had worked together in creating, is working well and that MIKTA is establishing itself as a major mechanism for middle power diplomacy. They agreed to remain cooperative with each other in the international community.


* unofficial translation