1. Deputy Foreign Minister David Velasquez of Venezuela (in charge of Asia-Pacific Affairs) will visit the Republic of Korea from June 18 through 21. On June 19, the Deputy Minister will pay a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and hold a meeting with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kyou-hyun. On those occasions, the two sides will reaffirm their willingness to promote their bilateral relations and discuss ways to expand exchanges and cooperation in areas such as people-to-people ties, economy, science, technology and agriculture.

2. During his visit to the country, Deputy Minister Velasquez will also pay a courtesy call on Park Byeong-seug, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and head of the ROK-Venezuela parliamentary friendship association. In addition, he will visit Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Engineering & Construction, which have already entered the Venezuelan market, to discuss cooperation projects.

3. The visit of the Deputy Foreign Minister who plays a central role in the ROK-Venezuela relations comes on the heels of the inauguration of new Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in April after the passing of former President Hugo Chávez. As such, it demonstrates the new Venezuelan government’s willingness to strengthen its diplomatic relations as well as substantive exchanges and cooperation with the ROK.

                           Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA

* unofficial translation