On Friday, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Foreign Minister Cho Tae Yul called for an immediate halt to illicit military cooperation between North Korea and Russia during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Speaking at the 35th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Foreign Affairs and Trade in Lima, Peru, on Thursday, Cho emphasized that the recent illegal collaboration between Russia and North Korea threatens the stability of the Asia-Pacific region and violates U.N. Security Council resolutions. He noted that North Korea’s ongoing weapons transfers to Russia and the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russian operations not only exacerbate the suffering in Ukraine but also pose significant risks to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and internationally.
At the same meeting, Jeong In Kyu, South Korea’s chief trade negotiator, stressed the critical need for regional cooperation to foster inclusive, interconnected, and sustainable growth in today’s uncertain economic climate.
Jeong suggested continuous efforts to create a multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and pushed for continued efforts to liberalize trade and investment within the region.
APEC, the largest economic forum in the Asia-Pacific, includes 21 member economies, including the United States, China, Japan, and South Korea. As the incoming APEC chair for 2024, South Korea is set to host the leaders’ summit in the historic city of Gyeongju.
During the meeting, Minister Cho also presented a promotional video for next year’s APEC summit and outlined South Korea’s proposed themes and critical priorities for its chairmanship.
