1. On February 3, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Yemen Al-Mekhlafi, who is on a visit to the Republic of Korea, and exchanged in-depth views on a range of issues, including ways to enhance the ROK-Yemen relations; ways to expand economic cooperation in reconstruction projects after the end of the crisis in Yemen, as well as in energy, infrastructure and other areas; regional situations in Northeast Asia and the Middle East; and cooperation on the global stage.

2. Minister Yun expressed hope that UN-mediated Yemen peace talks will resume as early as possible, thereby helping Yemen to restore stability and peace in a swift manner, and substantive cooperation between the two countries, which has been suspended, to resume. Minister Al-Mekhlafi expressed appreciation for the ROK government’s continued support regarding the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, and hoped that stability will be restored in Yemen soon, and Korean companies will increase their presence in the country.

o Minister Al-Mekhlafi stressed the importance of continued support from the international community, including the ROK, for the stabilization of Yemen. Minister Yun said that the ROK will continue to participate in the international community’s efforts to stabilize Yemen, including the Meeting of the Friends of Yemen.

3. Minister Yun said that despite the ROK’s various efforts to overcome the division of the Korean Peninsula and achieve unification, North Korea has conducted four nuclear tests in the 21st century, the only country to do so, and the North is also threatening the international community that it will launch a long-range missile. Minister Yun said that such provocations are in clear and serious violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and asked the Yemeni government to release a statement condemning North Korea regarding such provocations.

o Minister Al-Mekhlafi said that Yemen supports the ROK’s policy of unification for peace and prosperity, and strongly condemns all provocative acts by North Korea that create tensions on the Korean Peninsula, including nuclear tests and missile launches. Minister Al-Mekhlafi said that Yemen will continue to condemn such provocative acts and support the ROK’s position.

4. The latest ROK-Yemen Foreign Ministers’ meeting took place eight years after the last meeting between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, which was held in January 2008 on the sidelines of the annual forum “Alliance of Civilizations.” The latest meeting served as an opportunity to reaffirm the mutually-beneficial cooperative relations between the two countries, which marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2015, as well as to foster mutual understanding and support regarding the situations in Yemen and on the Korean Peninsula.


* unofficial translation