강경화 외교부 장관(왼쪽)이 제레미 헌트 영국 외교장관과 18일 런던에서 한영 외교장관 전략대화에 앞서 악수하고 있다. 외교부

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha (left) and U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt shake hands before their meeting in London on July 18. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Kim Young Shin 

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and the U.K.’s new foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula, their economic relationship and cooperation, at the Korea-U.K. foreign ministerial strategic dialogue in London on July 18.

Minister Kang outlined the Korean government’s efforts to achieve complete denuclearization and a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. She asked the U.K., a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and one of Korea’s major allies, to remain supportive of Korea’s policy toward North Korea.

Secretary Hunt commended the Korean government’s efforts to improve relations with North Korea, and said that it is necessary for Korea and the U.K., along with the international community, to keep firmly in place the sanctions against North Korea until the North’s pledges were translated into tangible action.

The two sides agreed to consult closely with each other to seek ways to work together to continue promoting bilateral friendship and cooperation on trade, investment and other areas, even after the U.K.’s withdrawal from the EU.

Finally, Minister Kang expressed her concern over the recently growing tide of trade protectionism, including the European Commission’s decision on July 18 to impose provisional safeguard measures on 23 product categories of steel, and asked for the U.K. government’s attention to this issue.

ysk1111@korea.kr