▲ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun attends the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Atlanta, U.S., on October 30 – 31 (local time).
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun explained the South Korean government's position on the demilitarized zone (DMZ) landmine explosion incident at the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and emphasized the importance of inter-Korean dialogue and communication to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, Minister Cho stated this position while attending the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Atlanta on October 30 – 31 local time.
Cho pointed out that deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia is having a severe impact on the security of the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding region.
He also stated that the South Korean government will spare no effort to foster peaceful coexistence and ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula, requesting the support and cooperation of G20 member states.
Minister Cho also emphasized the necessity of international coordination to guarantee freedom of navigation and safety in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as to counter threats to food security that directly affect people's livelihoods.
In particular, he noted that South Korea recently joined the European Union-led pledge to uphold the international law of the sea opposing unlawful restrictions on transit passage through international straits, adding that South Korea will continue to make practical contributions to ensuring free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
He also said that to respond to the energy crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East and surging demand for artificial intelligence, South Korea will serve as an energy hub linking oil-producing countries and consuming nations based on its refining capabilities, reserve infrastructure, and maritime networks.
Regarding supply chains, Cho pointed out that the war in the Middle East highlights the need to diversify supply chains to reduce dependence on specific regions or resources.
He introduced South Korea's efforts to enhance supply chain resilience, such as its participation in the Geostrategic Resource Cooperation Forum, and stressed the need to develop the agreements on critical minerals reached at the G20 Energy Ministers' Meeting in September into tangible supply chain cooperation.
Along with supporting the successful hosting of the upcoming G20 Summit in Miami in December, the government plans to strengthen coordination with member countries to ensure that tangible G20 achievements continue through 2028, when South Korea assumes the G20 presidency.
(Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap News)
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