‘Lee Jae-myung administration’s diplomatic skills put to the test’ ... Active diplomacy on issues involving North Korea, Iran and Ukraine

[Financial News] The government is maximizing its diplomatic efforts to resolve outstanding issues involving North Korea, Iran and Ukraine.
This is aimed at addressing conflicts and issues sparked by developments including ‘a breakdown in dialogue with North Korea,’ ‘the deployment of the Cheonghae Unit near Iran’s Strait of Hormuz,’ and ‘Ukraine’s undisclosed cancellation of the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war.’
On the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting underway in Paris, France, on the 10th (local time), Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held separate meetings with the U.S. and Ukrainian foreign ministers to discuss bilateral issues. The Foreign Ministry also decided to prevent tensions over an expanded mission for the Cheonghae Unit through active communication with Iran. Cho held a separate brief meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss North Korea. The Foreign Ministry did not disclose details of the talks between the South Korean and U.S. foreign ministers. They are believed to have discussed issues related to dialogue between North Korea and the United States.
Cho then held a separate meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The two ministers agreed on the need to resolve amicably the conflict stemming from Ukraine’s undisclosed cancellation of plans to repatriate North Korean prisoners of war.
Cho pledged to continue considering humanitarian assistance needed by the Ukrainian people and ways to support Ukraine’s reconstruction. Minister Sybiha expressed hope for close consultations with the international community, including South Korea, to achieve peace in Ukraine.
The Foreign Ministry is also in communication with the Iranian government, which opposes expanding the Cheonghae Unit’s mission to as far as 650 km near the Strait of Hormuz in Iran.
A Foreign Ministry official said, “The government is pursuing a motion seeking approval to extend the deployment and strengthen the Cheonghae Unit’s mission, in accordance with the principles of non-involvement and non-intervention in the war, with the aim of protecting our nationals and safeguarding our economic interests,” adding, “We are continuing to communicate with Iran and other countries concerned.”
Earlier, on the 9th (local time), Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei warned about the expansion of the South Korean Cheonghae Unit’s operational area, saying, “South Korea should refrain from deploying military forces in the region under the pretext of supporting the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” and, “It should avoid getting involved in a situation that has already become sufficiently complicated.”

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