Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Repub : Foreign Minister Meets with US Ambassador to ROK

1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with US Ambassador Mark Lippert to the Republic of Korea, who will soon leave his post, at the Foreign Ministry on January 18. The Minister, mentioning that the ROK-US alliance moved further forward during the tenure of the Ambassador, extended deep appreciation to him for his tireless passion and efforts.

° In particular, the Minister noted with appreciation that by concluding the bilateral agreements on nuclear cooperation and on space cooperation, in which Ambassador Lippert had played a pivotal role, the ROK and the US had paved the way for a stronger bilateral alliance.

° In addition, the Minister stressed that based on close ROK-US coordination, the UN Security Council had adopted its toughest-ever Resolutions 2270 and 2321 on North Korea, laying a solid foundation for the international efforts to achieve the denuclearization of North Korea.

° Minister Yun noted that through his passionate public diplomacy activities in every corner of the ROK, Ambassador Lippert had robustly engaged in exchanges with ROK people, which had helped enhance their goodwill toward the US and bring the ROK-US relations to their best point.

2. Ambassador Lippert responded that it was valuable and rewarding experience for him to play a role in the ROK-US alliance reaching its best- and strongest-ever point. He extended deep appreciation to the ROK government and leadership for their cooperation and to the ROK people for their support.

° Ambassador Lippert, citing various achievements made by the ROK and US governments, including the conclusion of their bilateral agreements on nuclear cooperation and on space cooperation as well as watertight coordination on North Korean issues and the sincere implementation of the KORUS (Korea-US) FTA, noted with appreciation that their bilateral cooperative mechanisms are firmly in place.

° The Ambassador added that he found it rewarding playing a role in paving the way for further development of the ROK-US relations, expressing deep respect and appreciation to the ROK government and people for making this development possible.

3. Minister Yun, calling the ROK and the US inseparable as the US Ambassador had reiterated a number of times, asked the Ambassador, who had forged unbreakable relationships with the ROK and its people over the past two years and three months, to continue contributing to the development of the ROK-US alliance as its eternal supporter.

° Ambassador Lippert responded that he feels a sense of calling as one of the biggest fans of the ROK-US alliance, adding that he will continue to work for the development of the bilateral alliance even after he leaves his current post.

4. Minister Yun will host a dinner for Ambassador and Mrs. Lippert at his official residence later in the day.

* unofficial translation