1. On February 12, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, who is on a visit to Munich to attend the 52nd Munich Security Conference, met with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond of the UK, a permanent member of the UN Security Council. They held in-depth discussions on ways to pursue comprehensive cooperation in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test and long-range missile launch.

2. The two sides reviewed the current multifaceted international efforts to sanction North Korea in the wake of the North’s nuclear test and long-range missile launch. They also agreed to closely work together to ensure the swift adoption of a UN Security Council sanctions resolution stronger and more effective than ever in response to North Korea’s development of nuclear capabilities, and its habitual and flagrant violations of Security Council resolutions.

o Minister Yun said that as part of efforts to encourage the adoption of a strong Security Council sanctions resolution, he visited New York from February 9 to 10 and met with representatives of all of the fifteen Security Council members. Minister Yun requested that the UK actively cooperate in making sure that the Security Council takes firm action with the determination that the upcoming resolution should be the “terminating resolution” so that North Korea doesn’t dare conduct fifth and sixth nuclear tests.

3. The two sides also agreed to make efforts to put pressure at various levels, including the EU’s measures to put pressure on North Korea and unilateral measures from individual governments, in addition to the ongoing efforts to adopt a strong Security Council sanctions resolution.

4. Minister Yun said that as an extraordinary measure needs to be taken in active cooperation with the international community in the grave situation caused by North Korea’s repeated provocations, the ROK government made the difficult decision to halt all operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex. He also spoke of what the ROK government expects from the measure.

o Foreign Secretary Hammond expressed understanding and support on the ROK government’s firm action against North Korea, including halting all operations at the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Foreign Secretary Hammond also promised that the UK, a permanent member of the Security Council, will actively join the international efforts to put pressure on North Korea.

5. The two sides also took note that the ROK-UK relations are deepening in a range of areas, as can be seen in robust consultations through high-level channels, including the ROK-UK Strategic Dialogue. In this regard, the two sides agreed to hold the third ROK-UK Strategic Dialogue at a mutually convenient time, and continue such high-level contacts at bilateral and multilateral events.


* unofficial translation