On June 22, South Korean Foreign Minister Jo Hyun addressed the situation regarding 22 South Korean vessels currently in the Hormuz Strait, stating, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working closely with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and our overseas missions to continuously monitor the navigation conditions in the Hormuz Strait and the safety of our ships and crew. We are committed to ensuring the free and safe passage of all vessels, including ours, through cooperation with relevant countries."
During a press conference at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, Jo mentioned that arrangements are being made for a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi regarding this matter.
Jo also noted, "We have been proactively preparing for the post-war period, establishing a comprehensive economic cooperation team within the Foreign Ministry to facilitate our companies' participation in recovery efforts in the Middle East and to identify tailored cooperation needs with Middle Eastern countries through our overseas missions."
He emphasized, "This war has solidified the perception that South Korea can be a partner for Middle Eastern countries during difficult times. We intend to join international efforts, including those of the United States, to ensure that this agreement leads not only to a short-term easing of tensions but also to sustainable peace and stability in the region."
Additionally, Jo announced that Andrii Sybiha, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, is scheduled to visit South Korea for talks on June 30.
A senior Foreign Ministry official stated that efforts are underway to facilitate the return of two North Korean prisoners to South Korea as quickly as possible, in accordance with their wishes. "We have already reached a basic agreement with the Ukrainian side," the official said, adding that the principles remain unchanged and some progress is expected during the upcoming visit of the Ukrainian Foreign Minister.
The official addressed concerns regarding Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to North Korea, where he did not mention North Korea's denuclearization, stating, "Avoiding the topic does not imply endorsement."
The official expressed concerns about the strengthening ties between North Korea, China, and Russia, stating, "If this alliance deepens, it would not be favorable for us. We are emphasizing the need for trilateral cooperation with Japan and China."
Jo highlighted that South Korea has been invited to the G7 summit for two consecutive years, stating, "We will leverage this momentum to position our country as a G7 Plus member, and ultimately, to achieve equal status with the G7 through diplomatic efforts."
Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's upcoming trip to Europe, Jo remarked, "This signifies the commencement of our government's diplomacy towards Europe. In a time of increasing uncertainty in international affairs, it presents an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with European countries that share our values, such as a rules-based international order and free trade."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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