President Yoon Suk Yeol (left) on Sept. 4 speaks at a bilateral summit with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the Office of the President in Seoul.
By Charles Audouin
Photos = Office of the President
Korea and New Zealand have agreed to advance talks on elevating the bilateral Partnership for the 21st Century concluded in 2006 to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
President Yoon Suk Yeol and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Sept. 4 decided this in their bilateral summit at the presidential office in Seoul. Both leaders adopted a joint statement and agreed to boost bilateral relations in trade, economy, science, human exchange, national security and international cooperation.
Making his first visit to Korea since taking office in November last year, the prime minister is also the first New Zealand leader to attend a bilateral summit in Korea since March 2015.
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of their bilateral free trade agreement next year, the two leaders agreed to “enhance two-way trade and investment” and continue negotiations to revise the ROK (Republic of Korea)-New Zealand Double Taxation Agreement of 1981.
Given the rising importance of the connection between economy and security, the foreign ministries of both sides “decided to launch a regular bilateral Economic Security Dialogue.”
In science, education and human exchange, the statement said “both sides are committed to fostering a private sector-led space industry,” adding that to respond to natural disasters, “both sides agreed to discuss ways to enhance cooperation between their national emergency management agencies.”
Korea and New Zealand also agreed to “expand the number of grantees through various scholarship initiatives” and provide an “ongoing platform for the regular exchange of young people in both directions” such as a working holiday visa.
The two leaders assessed their military cooperation including ROKKIWI, a joint submarine drill in June by their navies and the landing in Busan of the New Zealand vessel HMNZS Aotearoa.
They also condemned North Korea’s continued nuclear and missile development and agreed to maintain cooperation to enhance human rights in the North. Prime Minister Luxon also expressed support for President Yoon’s recently announced August 15 Unification Doctrine, which seeks to make Pyeongyang nuclear-free.
The prime minister wished for the successful hosting of next year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.
President Yoon (right) on Sept. 4 shakes hands with visiting Czech National Security Adviser Tomas Pojar at the Office of the President in Seoul.
In addition, President Yoon also met that day Czech National Security Adviser Tomas Pojar at the presidential office in Seoul.
In July, Korea was named the preferred bidder for construction of a nuclear power plant in the Czech municipality of Dukovany. President Yoon said the selection “demonstrated the strong determination of both countries to strengthen cooperation.”
Adviser Pojar said he was confident of his government concluding the final contract for the Dukovany project with Korea.
President Yoon will visit the Czech Republic this month.
caudouin@korea.kr
