SEOUL — In a significant diplomatic engagement, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with New Zealand’s Winston Peters on Monday to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and regional security issues, including the implications of North Korea’s ties with Russia.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the discussion occurred during a luncheon in Seoul, where both ministers explored avenues for economic cooperation and assessed the situation on the Korean Peninsula along with other major regional challenges. The meeting underscored the growing concerns over North Korea’s provocations and its deepening relationship with Moscow, viewed as a threat to both regional and global stability.
The ministers emphasized the need for a unified international response to these challenges and confirmed their commitment to continue their close collaboration. They also highlighted the importance of a joint statement issued by the leaders of South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand at the recent NATO summit, which condemned North Korea’s arms dealings with Russia. Cho and Peters agreed to further solidify their partnership and pursue shared goals for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.