1. Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Lee Jeong-kyu, together with Assistant Foreign Minister Ali Suliman Al-Saied of Kuwait, held the second Republic of Korea-Kuwait policy consultation at the Foreign Ministry on March 23.

2. The two sides, taking note of the close friendship and cooperation between the two countries on the international stage since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, agreed to have the policy consultation channel serve as a significant bridge between the two, as they are broadening the scope of cooperation to include energy, construction, health and medical care, education, national defense, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and culture.

3. Deputy Minister Lee voiced hope for smooth progress of the Kuwaiti infrastructure-building projects Korean companies are taking part in -- including the Jaber Causeway Project and the Abdullah New City development project under the relevant memorandum of understanding signed by the ROK Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Housing during Prime Minister Jaber’s visit to the ROK in May 2016.

4. Deputy Minister Lee, pointing out the fact that Kuwait is the second-largest crude supplier to the ROK, took note of the solid energy cooperation between the two countries. On that note, he suggested that the two countries, building on their long-standing cooperation in the energy sector, broaden the scope of cooperation to include various other areas, such as healthcare, culture, education, SMEs and training programs for military officers.

5. The Deputy Minister, bringing attention to North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations as well as its terrorist attack with a chemical weapon at an airport in a third country, and the current situation on the Korean Peninsula, extended appreciation to Kuwait for its efforts to sanction the North and asked for its continued cooperation.

- Assistant Minister Al-Saied responded that the Kuwaiti government has consistently supported the ROK’s position regarding the Korean Peninsula and the North Korean nuclear issue and, as a responsible member of the UN, will continue to faithfully implement the relevant UN Security Council sanctions resolutions on North Korea.


* unofficial translation