Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se and Uruguay's Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa held a summit meeting in Seoul on Nov. 15. The two ministers discussed bilateral relations, North Korean nuclear weapons, and cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

Minister Yun highly valued Uruguay’s active role as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, helping it to adopt Resolution 2270 in regard to North Korea’s fourth and fifth nuclear weapons tests and missile firings this year.

Minister Yun urged the Uruguayan government to support the U.N. Security Council’s moves to adopt new resolutions regarding sanctions on North Korea, and on North Korean human rights issues. Yun asked his Uruguayan counterpart to support the Republic of Korea's bid to become a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council in 2024 and 2025.

The Uruguayan foreign minister responded by saying that Uruguay strongly supports the South Korean government’s policies toward the North.

“Unless Pyongyang makes changes in its attitude, Uruguay will not improve its bilateral relations with North Korea, such as establishing a diplomatic relationship,” said the minister. He also added that Uruguay will work closely with South Korea as part of the U.N.’s move to adopt resolutions concerning North Korean nuclear weapons and North Korean human rights issues.

Both foreign ministers welcomed the commencement of negotiation for the Korea-MERCOSUR trade agreement in order to expand trade and investment between Korea and Uruguay. MERCOSUR is a sub-regional economic bloc that includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Minister Yun called for Uruguay to play an active role in negotiating the Korea-MERCOSUR trade agreement. He also asked his Uruguayan counterpart to help Korean firms can take part in various on-going infrastructure projects being carried out by the Uruguayan government.

The two ministers valued the latest ministerial meeting, saying that it helped both Korea and Uruguay sign mutual support agreements on customs systems, which, in turn, established a systemic foundation for cooperation between the customs systems in both countries.

Minister Yun invited Uruguay's foreign minister to the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), scheduled to be held next year. He also asked for Uruguay’s support in Seoul's bid to host the World Forestry Congress (WFC) in 2021.

Finally, Uruguay accepted Korea's invitation to the FEALAC, and the foreign minister said that he will positively consider supporting Korea’s bid for the WFC.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
arete@korea.kr