1. First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lim Sung-nam will visit Thailand and Cambodia from March 6 to 9, and hold the second Republic of Korea-Thailand policy consultation and the third meeting of the ROK-Cambodia joint committee.

2. In the second ROK-Thailand policy consultation, to be held on March 7, Vice Minister Lim will discuss ways for the two countries to work together in various areas, including trade, investment and infrastructure-building; consular cooperation; the situation on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea and its nuclear issues; and cooperation on the global stage.

3. In the third meeting of the ROK-Cambodia joint committee, to be held on March 9, Vice Minister Lim will discuss ways to enhance cooperation on political affairs, including facilitating channels for dialogue on foreign affairs and security, as well as review bilateral issues in a range of areas, including economy, trade and development cooperation. Based on the results of the discussion, the two sides will also exchange views on ways to strengthen the ROK-Cambodia relations.

4. The upcoming policy consultation and joint committee meeting take place for the first time in six years at this time when the security environment in Northeast Asia is more serious than ever in the wake of North Korea’s fourth nuclear test and long-range missile launch. The meetings are expected to serve as an opportunity for the ROK to strengthen not only bilateral cooperation with Thailand and Cambodia, but also cooperation at the ASEAN to put pressure on North Korea.


* unofficial translation