1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with Honduran Foreign Secretary Mireya Agüero on July 10 and discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation in a variety of areas, including government affairs, economy, trade, development cooperation, consular affairs, cultural exchange and cooperation on the international stage. They also engaged in a broad exchange of views on the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Latin America.

2. Minister Yun noted that the ROK and Honduras, as traditional allies, have developed friendly and cooperative relations in various areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962. The Minister also expressed satisfaction over the fact that substantive cooperation between the two countries has significantly expanded in development, security and cultural exchange through frequent high-level exchanges following President Lobo’s visit to the ROK in February, 2011.

o In response, noting the increasing high-level exchanges between the two countries, Secretary Agüero stated that Honduras considers the ROK a development model for the country and is very much willing to enhance substantive cooperation with the ROK in various fields, including trade, development cooperation and security in Latin America. In particular, the Secretary conveyed Honduras’ intention to introduce the ROK’s Saemaul Undong (new village movement) Project as the country’s national development policy.

3. Immediately after their meeting, Minister Yun and Secretary Agüero signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a high-level policy consultative body between the ROK and Honduran Foreign Ministries and agreed to closely cooperate based on the MOU as true partners in the Pacific era. This holds big significance in that the two countries have created a system which will allow them to have in-depth consultations on ways to improve substantive cooperation in all areas.

4. In addition, the two sides took note of a variety of cultural events held in 2012 to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and decided to continue to expand cultural exchanges to increase the understanding between the peoples of both countries. They also agreed to further enhance existing cooperation in the international community, including the UN.

5. A welcome luncheon hosted by Minister Yun was held after the meeting. Government officials of both countries and personnel from the ROK companies doing business in Honduras attended the luncheon and exchanged views on ways to resolve issues faced by the ROK companies and people in Honduras.

o Minister Yun asked for the Honduran government’s much interest and cooperation to ensure the safety of the ROK companies and people in Honduras. Secretary Agüero promised special attention and cooperation for that.

6. The ROK-Honduras Foreign Ministers’ Meeting served as an opportunity to further develop the two countries’ traditional friendly and cooperative relations and to explore ways to pursue mutually-beneficial cooperation through the ROK’s contribution to issues facing Honduras, including development and security. The Meeting contributed greatly to setting the direction for the development of future-oriented cooperative relations between the two countries. 


                         Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

*unofficial translation